Sergio Canales faces Real Madrid again this Sunday, but this time as a 35-year-old veteran and leader of Racing de Santander, against his former coach José Mourinho, who saw him grow up at the age of 19. The event promises an emotional and technical duel, since both share a history that began in the 2010-11 season.
In 2010, Canales, then a promising young Racing player, surprised the Spanish scene with outstanding performances, including a memorable play against Sevilla where he combined a lob with a dribble past the goalkeeper and a shot that left defenders behind. His performance caught the attention of Real Madrid, where José Mourinho, fresh from winning the Champions League with Inter Milan, incorporated him into the first team. Canales debuted as a starter in the opener of the 2010‑11 season, but his participation decreased throughout the campaign, ending with ten appearances in the league and ten minutes in European competitions.
After that stage, the player was loaned to Valencia and then moved to Real Sociedad and Betis, where injuries limited his continuity. In 2022 he moved to Mexico to play for Rayados de Monterrey, before returning to Racing in the summer of 2024. His hometown club was about to return to LaLiga, 14 years after his last participation. Canales presented himself as a “totally different” footballer and person than the one who went to Madrid at the age of 19.
Since his return, he has become a key piece of José Alberto López's offensive scheme. In the first ten games of the season, he has started nine games, averaging 73 minutes per game and contributing one assist and one goal. His presence on the right wing and in central positions has been decisive for Racing to achieve all its points at the El Sardinero stadium.
The next league match will have a double meaning: for Canales it will be the reunion with Mourinho, and for Real Madrid it will be the return to the El Sardinero Stadium after 15 years. Both teams are in the second stages of their respective campaigns, which adds a touch of reflection and evolution to the event. The result of the match will not only decide points, but also the narrative of a player who has come a long way from his youth under Mourinho to becoming the leader of his local team.