Patience Pays Off: The Long Road to Relevance for Brahim and Ceballos

Recruiting does not have to make sense. Equally, player decisions on their club destination do not have to make sense.

Brahim Diaz signed for Real Madrid six years ago in a decision that baffled many—both from the Real Madrid perspective and the player perspective. For Madrid, they had Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio, Isco, Lucas Vazquez, and Vinicius Junior all occupying the same positions on the wings. In fact, Vinicius Junior—aged 18 at the time and the brighter prospect with a heavy price tag of €45M—had played just 181 minutes by January. The reason Brahim Diaz was leaving Pep and Manchester City? To develop and earn more playing time. Moving to Real Madrid was going to achieve that? It did not add up. There was a logjam in the winger position, but Brahim bet on himself, and Madrid bet on the talent.

This phenomenon isn’t new for Real Madrid. Go back to July of 2017. Dani Ceballos, after securing the MVP of the U21 Euro Championships with Spain, was signed by Real Madrid for €16.5M. All of Europe was after Ceballos, and most clubs had a starting position to offer him. With Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro all at the peak of their powers, it was obvious his progression would stall. After failing to convince Zidane, Ceballos finished that season with less than 1,000 minutes under his belt. It seemed like a move that would not workout for the player or club.

Flash forward to 2025, and Brahim Diaz ranks quite literally as the 12th man in terms of minutes played (excluding goalkeepers)—the forward is Ancelotti’s go-to option for replacing one of his front three. The diminutive playmaker now stands out as one of the very best in the world at creating shots and goal-scoring opportunities off the dribble, from a defensive action, or from a live pass (99th percentile amongst attacking midfielders and wingers). His close control and ability to operate in tight spaces have made him a crucial asset in breaking down deep defensive blocks, something Real Madrid has historically struggled with in certain matches.

Dani Ceballos, at the age of 28 —seven years older than when he first arrived, is fulfilling his role to perfection. He’s added new elements to his game, namely defensively, with the ground he covers and his average of three tackles per game putting him in the 80th percentile amongst center midfielders. More importantly, his on-ball profile is one that is lacking in the Real Madrid squad following the departure of Kroos and the gradual decline of Luka Modric. His ability to dictate tempo, recycle possession, and provide killer line-breaking passes has cemented his place as a valuable squad player. Ceballos is no longer the young talent struggling for minutes—he is a mature, battle-tested midfielder who understands the nuances of the game and thrives in his role as a key depth piece and a player who is now pushing for a starting role, even when the full squad is healthy.

The important roles and relevance of both Brahim and Ceballos is yet another testament to the unpredictable nature of football development. What seemed like puzzling transfers at the time, where immediate logic suggested both were making the wrong decision, now appear to be sound decisions from all involved. Progress was far from linear, with both players enduring long-term loan spells away from the club at Arsenal and Milan. Outright sales of each player were often touted in the media, yet both remained steadfast in their belief that they were Real Madrid quality. Youth progression is rarely straightforward, but if a talented player can remain patient, put their head down and work, opportunities tend to arrive. Ceballos and Brahim have seized their chances and now serve as an example to future recruits.