Carlos Espe needed no more than a few weeks inside Real Madrid to become one of the closest players to José Mourinho. The young striker lives his day-to-day life alongside the Portuguese manager and his staff at Valdebebas, spending long hours with them that stretch far beyond training sessions, establishing a strong bond clearly visible on and off the pitch.
Espe’s first response to Mourinho’s trust came against Espanyol, when he came on as a substitute and saved Real Madrid from a stumble in their La Liga opener. In the 90th minute, he followed up a ball inside the penalty area after a move by Kylian Mbappé and beat goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović to it, scoring the 2-1 winning goal and securing the first official victory of the Portuguese manager’s new tenure.
The goal was not the only moment revealing the nature of their relationship. Mourinho set off to celebrate in his signature passionate style, before embracing Espe after the final whistle in a scene described by Diario AS as almost paternal, reflecting how quickly the manager and his new striker have bonded.
The Spanish newspaper dubbed Espe “Mourinho’s Neighbor,” as he now spends most of his day inside Valdebebas alongside the coach and his technical team. Since arriving at the sports complex on July 31st, the player practically lives with them, sharing all three daily meals, and has also developed a close connection with Marc Cucurella, who is part of the same group.
Mourinho himself revealed the reality of this cohabitation following the win against Espanyol, stating about Espe: “He is a very joyful boy. We live together in Valdebebas: him, me, my staff, and Cucurella. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together.” He added, praising his mindset: “He is living a dream, but he doesn’t work like someone living in another world.”
The Portuguese manager described Espe as an “ideal player,” emphasizing Real Madrid’s happiness to have him. His explosive start highlights the reasons behind this conviction: he scored three goals from just six shots during his first five matches in a Real Madrid shirt despite not starting, becoming the team’s top scorer in that period and transforming himself rapidly from a surprise signing into an impactful asset.
Espe’s transfer to Real Madrid occurred in a swift move in late July following Gonzalo García’s departure to Fulham, even though the Levante striker had been in advanced talks with Brighton. The Royal Club paid €25 million to complete the deal with Mourinho’s direct approval, and the 21-year-old signed a contract until June 2031—beginning an unexpected chapter in his career during which he quickly found a crucial late goal and a manager who became his neighbor and closest supporter.
