Real Madrid has a number of promising talents that come through the ranks in La Masia, and among them is Leo Lemaitre. The 16-year-old middle behind is generally considered one of the best defenders in the Academy and given that he is mentioned in the same breath as Joan Martinez, who is in the minds of Xabi Alonso for the 2025-26 season, he could also be involved with the first team in the coming years.
Lemaitre has already been involved in international football after he has represented Spain at U16 level. His dream is to play for La Roja, but could ultimately be a dream that was not filled, because MD reported that France's football federation tried to convince him to change his faithfulness.
Lemaitre, who is only 16, was born in Zaragoza, and he was in the real Zaragoza academy until Real Madrid struck in 2021. But although Spain has always been home, he is able to represent France through his father, who is French.
And France has an advantage in their efforts to convince Lemaitre to change loyalty, because they want to call him for the U17 World Cup, which takes place in November. The teenager has already been informed here and Spain has not responded because they have decided to call him to their U17 team for the coming international break.
Lemaitre has not taken a decision, which will have a few months to make a decision about his future at an international level. It would be a major coup for France to get his approval, given that Real Madrid officials have very high expectations for the young defender. But for the time being the case will continue, with a resolution that will probably not come until the U17 World Cup is closer.