I’m Not A Left-Back, I’m Real Madrid’s Midfield Maestro

Position Matters: Camavinga Pushes Midfield, Not Left-Back

French star Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid's midfielder, made his stance clear on playing as a left-back, preferring his natural central midfield role, though he's ready to flex wherever the coach asks.

During a light-hearted interview with Telefoot he joked that he is not left-back but in midfield, echoing a sentiment previously voiced by his teammate Fede Valverde about not being born to be a left-back.

Comeback and Getafe Moment

According to AS, the Getafe match marked a special moment for Camavinga, starting for the first time in 182 days—five and a half months after his last full appearance against Athletic Bilbao on April 20.

A string of injuries had kept him sidelined, from a left adductor issue at the Coliseum to an ankle problem, delaying his progression under the new coach Xabi Alonso.

His return against Getafe offered a chance to shine in his favored role in midfield, reiterating the line that he is not left-back but is at his best in central midfield.

In a preview clip that will air on Telefoot on Sunday, Camavinga discussed his various duties for club and country, acknowledging his versatility while stressing that his preferred position remains in the center of the pitch.

Role, Form, and Future

He has played 28 matches at left-back under Carlo Ancelotti, used as a tactical option when needed, and was among the first to test the switch at the international level under Didier Deschamps.

Across more than 2,000 minutes in that position, he has shown quality with stamina, the ability to break lines, and defensive work, yet he insists the role is temporary and that his long-term future lies in midfield.

Earlier, Camavinga said he does not like this position; he spoke with Ancelotti, but the team comes first. He is a team player and will play as a full-back if asked, even if he does not like it, because you cannot always get what you want and you must balance things.

Valverde shares the sentiment, adding that he was not born to be a left-back. Both players put Real Madrid first, focusing on a midfield future.

Against Getafe, Alonso deployed Camavinga in a double pivot with Kamavinga’s teammate Tchouaméni, delivering a balanced performance with some imperfect passes in the final third handled well overall.

Alonso praised him afterward: he was impressive, with the team reaching those zones effectively and delivering a complete game.

All in all, the harmony between the coach’s plan and Camavinga’s own ambitions is clear: his optimal spot remains the midfield, where seriousness and a dash of lightheartedness coexist.

Origins and Rise

Camavinga was born on November 10, 2002, in Angola, and grew up in France after his family moved when he was two. He began his football journey with Rennes, rising to the first team at 16 thanks to his multi-positional talent in midfield.

In 2019-2020, he exploded with a standout display against Paris Saint-Germain, helping Rennes to a 1-0 victory and drawing attention from Europe’s elite, including Real Madrid.

In the summer of 2021, Real Madrid signed Camavinga for around 30 million euros, and under Ancelotti he matured, contributing to two UEFA Champions League titles.

Internationally, Camavinga has represented France across youth levels and debuted with the senior squad in 2020, becoming the youngest to wear the French jersey in nearly a century. He is viewed as a future pillar to succeed the likes of Pogba and Kanté.

Punchline 1: If football were a sniper’s stage, Camavinga would take the shot from midfield every time—and still miss the left-back joke by a mile.

Punchline 2: When it comes to positions, Camavinga plays the long game; his heart says center, his feet say go with the flow, and his talent says you’re watching the show.