Javi Hernandez, Zidane's surprise in pre-season

It's been quite the rise for Javi Hernandez, who, in five years, has gone from posing for photos with Zinedine Zidane to being chosen by the Frenchman as part of his Real Madrid pre-season squad to travel to Canada.

While Zidane was still acting as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Hernandez requested a photo with the Madrid icon.

But now, the 21-year-old will travel to work under Zidane's orders this pre-season, having played on loan at Real Oviedo in 2018/19.

"I didn't expect to have a place with the first team," he said of his loan at Oviedo, where the plan was for him to work with their youth team.

"I came to play in the youth team, but opportunities appear and we have to take advantage of them."

Javi's future remains a mystery. He may find a buyer in LaLiga Santander, but Madrid might find a place for him in Raul's Castilla plans.