CBC-Sports

Remember the name Sergio Canales

February 9, 2010 11:40 AM | Posted by   John Molinaro  

He will be a major and influential figure for the Spanish national team at the World Cup - maybe not this year, but certainly in 2014 and beyond.

Remember the name Sergio Canales because you'll be hearing a lot more from him in the years to come.

The 18-year-old Spanish prospect has scored five goals in 11 games for Racing Santander during the current La Liga campaign, none more spectacular than the two he bagged last month in Los Verdiblancos's 2-1 win against Sevilla on the road.

In only his third start for Racing, Canales opened the scoring in the 26th minute, breaking in on goal in full stride with all the grace of a leopard and calmly chipping the ball from the edge of the penalty area over the head of the onrushing goalkeeper (in this case, no less of a custodian than Andres Palop) and into the back of the net.

Twelve minutes later, the Racing star was at it again, this time elegantly side-stepping the approaching Palop with a vintage step-over move, pausing and then cutting inside and skipping by Sevilla's Adriano before effortlessly stroking the ball home.

The crowd inside the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, knowing something special whey they see it, applauded Canales's efforts, giving him a standing ovation after the second goal that bore a striking resemblance to one Diego Maradona famously scored for Barcelona many moons ago.

Not surprisingly, Canales's name has been splashed about in the pages of Spain's major sports dailies the past few weeks, while a transfer or loan deal with Real Madrid – the ultimate judge when it comes to young talent in the Spanish game – is said to be in the works.

What's especially impressive about the Spanish under-21 star is that he demonstrates great maturity and intelligence beyond his 18 years. Only a player of supreme confidence could pull off a pair of spectacular finishes like the ones he did in Seville last month.

He also defies comparisons. Claims that he's the next Cesc Fabregas are silly, because the young Racing star has his own style.

Make no mistake about it: Canales is good. In fact, he's very good.

He's only shown small glimpses of his promise and greatness since making his first-team debut in 2008 – Racing has limited his playing time, eager not to rush him too soon.

But if his brief cameos are any indication, he will be the next big thing in Spanish football.

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