User:Jesnse/sandbox

Jesús Espinosa Zavala (born 16 September 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid. Born in the United States, he represents the Mexican national team. Known for his passing, technique, and quickness, he is considered as one of the best young players and best midfielders in world football.

Espinosa started playing football as an amateur, he quickly developed leasing him to sign for LA Galaxy's first team in December 2019. After one impressive season at the club, he then signed for Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of $9.7 million on a five-year deal. In his first full season with Dortmund, he broke Thomas Müeller's Bundesliga record of assists, at twenty-two. He was an integral part in winning the DFB-Pokal and the Bundesliga. He also won the UEFA Champions League Player of the Tournament and the Bundesliga Player of the Season, being the first Mexican and CONCACAF player to ever do so. After a two-and-a half year stay at the German club, he signed for La Liga giants, Real Madrid, for a reported fee of $137.5 million dollars, becoming the most expensive CONCACAF player of all time.

Early life
Espinosa was born in Torrance, California, but grew up in Carson and Wilmington, California. Jesus is the youngest of just one older sibling. His parents are both from Purépero, Michoacán, Mexico, but moved to Southern California in their early 20's.

Espinosa has been a big football through his teen years and has extensive knowledge of the game. As a kid however, he was never a big fan of the sport. He started playing at the age of six, for Saturday kid league teams as a defender. His father was the one who tried to get him into football. When he played, he was never the most talented one with the ball and always felt scared when playing. His coaches seemed biased and would usually use the more “technical and gifted” players, even if they were just kids. He then stopped playing at the age of nine, due to it being difficult for his parents to take him to practice and to his games. Espinosa was fine with it, and from then on was mostly into playing video games. He played football in his junior high and high school years, but it was mostly just for fun. He played with his middle school’s after school team in several tournaments, but never won anything.

Prior to the start of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Espinosa started to watch football again and started to learn more about it, gaining interest from the sport again. Caught from the interest, he decided to join a local team again at the age of fourteen with a friend, but only lasted around three months before quitting. He never got comfortable with his teammates and never felt like he was improving. And worst of all, he still felt nervous before playing a game. Resulting him to making mistakes and play poorly. But that did not take away his passion for the game.

In his later high school years, Espinosa played football for fun in physical education and with friends at parks. He then joined a friends team in which they played competitively once a week. The team rarely won and would always usually always play with people twice their age, with his team being fifteen-to-nineteen year old teenagers.

Three years prior to signing his first pro-contract, Espinosa was in “the best form of his life”. He dedicated himself into practicing more and improving his football abilities. He eventually joined an amateur football team in 2017 called Atletico Juvenil, and played with them until signing for LA Galaxy in December 2019.

Espinosa tried out to become a professional footballer, and after doing impressively well, he was given the opportunity to sign for LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, and Sacramento Republic. Eventually opting to sign for Galaxy, since he would be playing in his hometown, besides also being a fan of the club.

LA Galaxy
On 31 December 2019, Espinosa was announced as a new player for LA Galaxy, being presented with the number sixty-six, but later changing it to six after the North American Champions Trophy, as he would now be considered as a first team player.

He made his unofficial debut against San Jose Earthquakes, in the North American Champions Trophy preseason tournament on 5 January 2020, playing the full 90 minutes as Galaxy won 2-0. By the second game on 8 January, he scored his first goal in the 24th minute against Necaxa, as Galaxy won 0-3. He played in all five pre season games as Galaxy lost in the final against Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2. He ended the tournament registering one goal and one assist.

He made his official debut in the MLS on 29 February as Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1-2, he scored the first goal in the 50th minute and was named Man of the Match. On 14 March, in the 45th minute against Inter Miami, Espinosa collided against another player and dislocated his shoulder, which ruled him out for seven weeks. For May, he was nominated for Player of the Month, alongside teammates Javier Hernández and Cristian Pavón. Espinosa ended up winning ended up winning the award for the first time in his career. He was also in the MLS’ Player of the Week for the first time. He played the U.S. Open Cup final against FC Cincinnati on 23 September, as Galaxy lost 0-3 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Espinosa played his last match for Galaxy in the Western Conference semifinals against Portland Timbers. Espinosa sustained a shoulder injury in the 85th minute leading him to be substituted. As he left, the team conceded two goals in just a matter of seconds, resulting in a 2-1 loss. He finished the season making thirty-five appearances, providing fifteen goals and thirteen assists in all competitions. Winning eight Man of the Match, four Team of the Week, and one Player of the Month awards.

On 30 October, there were speculations surfing online that Espinosa handed in a transfer request. Many speculations stated that either he was unhappy at the club or that he felt undervalued and never had clear ambitions at Galaxy. It wasn't until 13 December that it was at his requested that his time would be over, stating: "'My short time here at the Galaxy has sadly come to an end. It did not end the way I wanted it to, as it would've been much better winning some silverware, but my ambitions lie elsewhere. I've learnt so much in just a year here at the club. From my coaches, teammates, staff, and even you guys. And I am now ready to take what I've learned and expand more to it in my future team. I cannot thank this football team enough for everything they've given to me. One year ago, I was not even a professional athlete, I was just some kid trying to achieve his goal, and they made that goal come true. Thank you guys so much, I will dearly miss this club, culture, city, and especially you guys. But, I won't ever rule out that I won't come back here and to try and get what you guys deserve.'"Napoli, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund were the top rumored teams interested in him, but he opted to sign with the German team.

Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund announced the signing of Espinosa on 3 January 2021 for a reported fee of $9.7 million, signing a five-year-deal. He became the 9th Mexican player to sign for a Bundesliga side, and the first for Dortmund.

2020–21 season
Espinosa made his league debut on 30 January against 1. FC Köln as Dortmund won 3-1. He ended up winning Man of the Match for that game. He made his UEFA Champions League debut on 24 March against Juventus in the 1st leg of the Round of 16, becoming the 26th Mexican player to play in the tournament. In the match, he sustained an injury in the 68th minute when colliding with Samuel Umtiti. Dortmund went on to lose the match 2-1, as they later on came out with a medical report and stated that Espinosa sustained yet another dislocated shoulder, ruling him out for two months. He made his return on the penultimate game of the season against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on 9 May. Espinosa finished the season only making eight appearances, and providing four assists in all competitions. Winning three Man of the Match and two Team of the Week awards.

2021–22 season
Espinosa's first goal for Dortmund would come in his first league game at the start of the 2021-22 season against 1. FC Nürnberg on 21 August 2021, as they won 2-1. He won Player of the Month for August after his impressive performances.

His spot at the club was in deep competition after Dortmund signed the likes of Marcos Llorente and Giovani Lo Celso in the summer transfer window. Pundits figured Espinosa would only play against lower opponents in league and cup matches, yet he still managed to start over the likes of said players, and even previous teammates like Julian Brandt and Thomas Delaney, starting in games against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

On 24 November, Espinosa scored his first goal in the Champions League group stage against Feyenoord, as Dortmund would go on to win the match 0-2. Espinosa become the 17th Mexican player to score in said competition. He would go on to win his 2nd Player of the Month award for November after another batch of impressive performances. After providing four assists and scoring one goal in four league matches in December, he won back-to-back Player of the Month awards.

On 28 January, Espinosa recorded three assists for Dortmund’s 3-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf in the league, bringing him to an impressive seventeen assists in seventeen league matches. He scored his first goal in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen as they won 3-0 on 1 February. With twenty wins, Dortmund broke a Bundesliga record for the longest winning streak, Espinosa being amongst the players on 12 March as they beat Bayern Munich 1-0. Dortmund were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals as they fell 4-3 on aggregate against Napoli. Espinosa gave two assists in total, as national teammate Hirving Lozano scored two goals in the second leg, essentially knocking out Dortmund.

On 26 April, they beat 1. FC Nürnberg 2-0, as Dortmund won the league for the first time since the 2011-12 season, and with four games to spare. This made Espinosa win his first senior title, and making him the third Mexican player to win a Bundesliga; alongside national teammate Jesús Corona, becoming the fourth. On 8 May, Espinosa recorded his 22nd assist of the league season against a Borussia Mönchengladbach in Dortmund’s 2-2 draw, breaking Thomas Müller’s record of 21 assists in the 2019-20 season. After the last match day and lifting the league title on 14 May, Espinosa was announced as the Bundesliga Player of the Season. He was also included in the Team of the Season. Espinosa appeared in thirty-two league matches, scoring eight goals, and providing twenty-two assists; with the most in the league, throughout the season.

On 21 May, Dortmund won their fourth DFB-Pokal after beating Hertha Berlin 1-0, Espinosa scoring the lone goal. He became the third Mexican player to win the tournament. He also won the Player of the Tournament award, as he ended up being the top goal scorer and had the most assists in the competition, with four and five respectively.

After the UEFA Champions League final on 27 May, Espinosa was announced as the Player of the Tournament, also being included in the team of the tournament. In ten matches, Espinosa scored one goal and provided five assists.

Espinosa would end his 2021–22 season with Dortmund registering fourth-seven appearances, scoring thirteen goals, and proving thirty-two assists in all competitions. Becoming the Mexican player with the most assists in a European season. He won twenty-three Man of the Match, fourteen Team of the Week, and three Player of the Month awards.

2022–23 season
Espinosa started the season with a 3-0 defeat in the DFL-Supercup against RB Leipzig. On 13 September, Espinosa suffered a broken toe injury against LOSC Lille in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League season, which ruled him out for 3 months. He made his comeback in the last Champions League group stage match against Inter Milan on 6 December.

On 11 January 2023, Espinosa was included in the 2022 UEFA Team of The Year.

Just seven-and-a-half weeks after Espinosa came back from his broken toe injury, he received yet another in the same area against rivals Bayern Munich on 28 January, which also ruled him out for three months. He came back on 23 April for the league match against Eintracht Frankfurt. On 6 May, Espinosa and Dortmund clinched the Bundesliga title after beating Werder Bremen 3-1.

After being injured through most of the season, Espinosa ended up making sixteen appearances; scoring four goals, and proving six assists in all competitions. He won five Man of the Match and Team of the Week awards.

2023–24 season
On 6 August, Espinosa began the season with a DFL-Supercup penalty shootout loss against Bayer Leverkusen after drawing 1-1 in full time, assisting Dortmund's goal. On the second match day of the Bundesilga on 18 August, Espinosa scored two past VfB Stuttgart. He would then play his last game for Dortmund on 27 August against Eintracht Frankfurt as they won 0-2 away from home.

Real Madrid
After heavily being rumored to be interested by various big clubs around Europe, it was revealed on the last day of the summer transfer window on 31 August 2023 that Real Madrid had bought Espinosa. He was sold for a reported fee of $137.5 million, and was gifted the number 10 shirt. Espinosa became the third Mexican footballer to inherit a Real Madrid shirt, after Hugo Sánchez and Javier Hernández.

2023–24 season
Espinosa made his debut in La Liga on 10 September playing the full ninety-minutes in a 1-0 win against Sporting de Gijón. On 22 October, in his eighth appearance for the club, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 home win against Real Sociedad. In January, Real Madrid got knocked out in both the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey. Real lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad in the semifinals of the Supercopa, and lost 2-1 in the quarterfinals against Deportivo Alaves. Real Madrid was paired up against Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 for the UEFA Champions League. In the first leg, Madrid drew 1-1 at the Signal Igduna Park on 14 February, Espinosa played 78 minutes. On 5 March, the second leg finished in a 0-0 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Madrid passing on to the quarter-finals on away goals. Espinosa played 66 minutes in the second leg.

Dual nationality
Born in the U.S. to Mexican parents, Espinosa holds U.S. and Mexican citizenship, which made him eligible to represent either the United States or the Mexican national team. However, Espinosa committed to only play for Mexico, even if he received interest from the U.S.

Senior national team
On 29 August 2020, Espinosa was called up for the first time by the senior Mexican team for friendlies against South Africa and Egypt in September. When asked to comment on being picked, he proudly answered, "I'm honored to get the chance to play for my country." His excitement, though, was tempered by caution, "It's a bit intimidating though!" smiled Espinosa. Although he did not play against South Africa, he made his debut against Egypt in a 1-1 draw on 8 September 2020.

2022 FIFA World Cup
On 18 May 2022, Espinosa was amongst the players to feature for Mexico in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Espinosa appeared as a starter in Mexico’s opening game against France on 16 June. He would score his first national team goal in the 84’ minute, as Mexico lost 2-1. This match also marked his 100th official appearance for both club and country. On 21 June, he started against Denmark and provided an assist for Luis Romo’s goal in the 90’ minute as they drew 1-1. In the final group match on 26 June against Chile, Espinosa scored Mexico’s first goal in the 30’ minute and gave an assist to Raúl Jiménez in the 35’ minute. The game ended in a 3-0 win for Mexico, however, they ended up being eliminated in the group stage for the first time since the 1978 FIFA World Cup, since Denmark beat France 1-0.

Style of play
Espinosa is a left footed central midfielder. He has been praised for his great vision and positioning on the field. Quick with the ball, he often likes to find himself in the attack to link up with his teammates for one-two passes or also aiming a shot at goal. He also has a great number of defensive interceptions per game and has been praised for his defensive attributes. In his time at Germany, he's been compared to Thomas Müller, both having slim bodies but possessing both great technique and having a high number of assists per season. Espinosa is also capable of playing primarily at right wing or right midfield, as he did in most of his career at LA Galaxy.

Reception
Guillermo Barros Schelotto praised Espinosa for his attitude and commitment on the LA Galaxy team, naming him an integral part of the Galaxy team even if it was his first professional season.

Gerardo Martino stated Espinosa "has everything he needs to help turn the national team (Mexico) into a well-oiled machine", when first called up with the national team. At 20 years old, Espinosa was chosen for the 2022 World Cup. "He's been part of the set-up for a while now," explained Martino. "I think it's time he gets the chance to show he can deliver what we need from him. For him to be able to do that, we need to give him competitive games." But with only a handful of appearances at international level under his belt this year, is this the right time to hand central midfielder a start in a competitive fixture? Yes, according to the player himself: "I have no doubt that I can make a contribution for my country in this game and the manager thinks I can too," said Espinosa. "If the boss doesn't doubt my ability then why should I be worried? As long as I just focus on the game, I'll be fine."

Dortmund interim manager Edin Terzić hailed Espinosa as a "game changer" after his impressive run of form in his second season at the club. Also stating, "He's playing at a different level. I knew he could perform to that standard, but he's done exactly what I've asked him to do. I have to applaud him for that." The praise for Espinosa didn't stop there, with several teammates weighing in with their own high praised opinions. In Espinosa's last season with Dortmund, he was hailed for his attacking prowess after being the focal point for the team, creating chances and scoring goals. "Espinosa has given our attack that little bit of swagger these past few games," admitted an impressed Dortmund manager.

When Espinosa arrived to Madrid from Dortmund, Real manager Carlo Ancelott i praised Espinosa stating, "This is exactly what the club needs; someone fresh and new in the mix. I'm sure he'll be a great addition to an already brilliant squad. He's just the type I look for when I'm trying to build a team capable of doing well in this league. He ticks all the boxes for us; hunger, ability, and so on. He offers us a lot in terms of his talent." In Espinosa's first season, he was singled out by Ancelotti during a press conference for his involvement in goals his Real Madrid team had scored in a batch of games. "He's a good player and opposing defenders will have to try to address his attacking threat into their plans," stated Ancelotti.

International goals

 * Mexico score listed first, score column indicates score after each Espinosa goal.

Borussia Dortmund

 * Bundesliga: 2021–22, 2022–23
 * DFB-Pokal: 2021–22

Individual

 * UEFA Champions League Player of the Season: 2021–22
 * UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22
 * UEFA Team of the Year: 2022
 * Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2021–22
 * Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22
 * Bundesliga Player of the Month: August 2021, November 2021, December 2021
 * DFB–Pokal Player of the Tournament: 2021–22
 * DFL–Supercup Player of the Tournament: 2023–24
 * MLS Player of the Month: May 2020