Carlos Espí: Real Madrid’s Rising Striker After Levante Success

Carlos Espí is quickly becoming one of Spain’s most exciting young footballers. After breaking through at Levante, the talented striker has earned a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid, where he is expected to develop into one of the club’s long-term attacking options.

Standing at an imposing 1.94 meters (6 ft 4 in), Espí combines physical strength with intelligent movement inside the penalty area. His performances during the 2025–26 La Liga season attracted attention from several European clubs before Real Madrid secured his signature.

Carlos Espí joins Real Madrid

Real Madrid officially announced the signing of Carlos Espí on a five-year contract after activating the striker’s €25 million release clause at Levante. The Spanish giants moved quickly to complete the deal following interest from Premier League clubs.

The 21-year-old forward arrives as one of Spain’s brightest young talents and is expected to compete for minutes while continuing his development.

According to club reports:

• Contract until June 2031
• Signed from Levante UD
• Spain U-19 and U-20 international
• Considered a long-term investment for Madrid’s attack

Carlos Espí at Levante

Espí joined Levante’s academy in 2022 and progressed rapidly through the youth ranks before making his senior breakthrough.

His performances helped Levante secure promotion before he impressed in La Liga during the following campaign. He finished the season with 11 league goals despite making only 13 starts, earning recognition as one of Spain’s top Under-23 players.

Levante career highlights

• Youth academy graduate
• First-team debut in 2024
• 66 senior appearances
• 20 goals for Levante
• Named La Liga’s Best U-23 Player

Carlos Espí height

One of Espí’s biggest strengths is his physical presence.

• Height: 194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
• Weight: 80 kg
• Preferred foot: Right

His height makes him extremely dangerous in aerial duels and set-piece situations, while his mobility allows him to press defenders effectively.

Carlos Espí FC 26 rating

EA SPORTS FC 26 lists Carlos Espí as one of football’s promising young strikers.

Overall Rating

• Overall: 68
• Position: ST
• Preferred Foot: Right

Key attributes

• Pace: 71
• Shooting: 64
• Passing: 56
• Dribbling: 64
• Defending: 37
• Physical: 74

His strongest individual attributes include:

• Jumping: 88
• Strength: 83
• Heading Accuracy: 77
• Sprint Speed: 75

These numbers reflect his profile as a classic target striker capable of leading the line.

Sofifa profile

Football database sites and player-rating platforms describe Espí as one of Spain’s fastest-rising forwards.

His profile includes:

• Position: Forward
• Nationality: Spain
• Height: 194 cm
• Preferred Foot: Right
• Shirt Number: 19
• Contract (previously at Levante): Until June 2028
• Estimated market value around €22 million before his transfer.

Stats

Since making his senior breakthrough, Espí has continued to improve every season.

Senior statistics

• 66 appearances
• 20 goals
• Multiple youth international appearances for Spain
• Best Under-23 Player in La Liga
• Key contributor during Levante’s promotion and first season back in the top flight

Playing style

Carlos Espí is a traditional centre-forward with modern qualities.

His strengths include:

• Excellent heading ability
• Strong finishing inside the penalty area
• Intelligent positioning
• Physical strength
• High work rate
• Pressing from the front

Areas for improvement include:

• Passing consistency
• Link-up play
• Ball control under pressure

Coaches believe these areas will improve with experience at Real Madrid.

Can Carlos Espí succeed at Real Madrid?

The competition for places at Real Madrid is fierce, but Espí offers a different profile from many of the club’s attackers.

His aerial ability, physicality and penalty-box instincts make him a valuable tactical option, especially against teams that defend deep. While he may initially play a supporting role, many analysts believe he has the potential to become an important first-team player in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Carlos Espí?

He is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker. He developed at Levante before signing for Real Madrid in 2026.

How tall is Carlos Espí?

He is 194 cm (6 feet 4 inches) tall.

What is Carlos Espí’s FC 26 rating?

His overall rating in EA SPORTS FC 26 is 68.

Which club did Carlos Espí join?

Carlos Espí joined Real Madrid from Levante on a five-year contract in July 2026.

How many goals did Carlos Espí score for Levante?

He scored 20 goals in 66 senior appearances before completing his move to Real Madrid.

Conclusion

Carlos Espí has taken a major step in his career by joining Real Madrid after an impressive rise at Levante. With his towering height, aerial dominance, and eye for goal, the young Spanish striker has all the attributes to develop into a top-class centre-forward. Although competition for playing time will be intense, his potential, FC 26 profile, and recent performances suggest that he could become one of Spain’s standout forwards over the next few seasons.