Santamaría has been one of the standout players at La Fábrica during the opening weeks of the season, scoring five goals in his first five appearances and earning comparisons with former Real Madrid striker Joselu.
The 18-year-old joined Real Madrid from Castellón during the summer and was expected to play for Juvenil A. Instead, his goalscoring form has quickly opened the door to opportunities at a higher level.
He scored twice on his debut before finding the net again in his second appearance. He then scored against Inter in the Youth League before making an impact in the Intercontinental, where he came off the bench to score Real Madrid’s second goal against Al Ahly and win a penalty.
The sequence of events fuelled comparisons with Joselu, particularly because Santamaría’s goal came shortly after he entered the pitch and recalled the former striker’s famous late impact against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.
His first appearance without a goal came against Getafe last Wednesday, but five goals in five matches had already made him one of the most talked-about young forwards at the club.
Now Marc Carrasco is ready to call on him for Sunday’s visit to Atlético C.
Santamaría spent part of pre-season with Real Madrid C, but the derby is expected to represent his first official squad involvement with the side.
Real Madrid can make the move because Juvenil A have no match this weekend, while Yeremaiah is away with Spain’s Under-18 squad.
The timing also gives Madrid C an attacking option at a moment when goals have been difficult to find. Carrasco’s team have drawn their opening two matches 0-0.
Santamaría’s current scoring run therefore provides an obvious reason for his promotion, with the teenager arriving at the second reserve team in a very different situation from the one he faced at the beginning of the campaign.
His progress has been rapid. In less than a month of competitive football, the striker has moved from a new arrival in the Juvenil A squad to a potential reinforcement for a reserve-team derby.
A starting place has not been ruled out, meaning Santamaría could make an immediate step up from youth football to the senior structure.
For Real Madrid C, Sunday’s match offers the teenager an opportunity to test his scoring form against older opposition. For Santamaría, it is another indication of how quickly his start to the season has changed his position within La Fábrica.