The Spanish club have moved to secure the future of a player whose development has gathered momentum over the past year, with the young midfielder increasingly establishing himself as one of the academy's most promising prospects.
Lacosta has earned the nickname of a new 'Pajarito' at Valdebebas, a reference to Valverde's famous nickname in Uruguay. The comparison reflects his long stride, physical energy and ability to cover ground across the pitch.
His latest milestone comes after scoring the opening goal in the Juvenil side's Youth League victory over AEK Athens, adding another highlight to an impressive period of progress.
Born in Zaragoza on February 16, 2008, Lacosta joined Real Madrid in 2020 from Santo Domingo Juventud, a local club in his home city. He has since worked his way through the academy structure and become an important figure for Real Madrid C.
His progress also earned him an opportunity to work with José Mourinho during pre-season.
Lacosta travelled with the senior squad for three friendly matches and featured in two, against Fiorentina and Ferencváros. The experience offered an early taste of the demands of first-team football and marked another step in his development.
The midfielder's recent achievements have been particularly impressive. He was part of the Juvenil team that won the UEFA Youth League in Lausanne, alongside the domestic league and Copa de Campeones.
He also celebrated the Intercontinental Under-20 title at the Santiago Bernabéu, lifting the trophy after a final played in front of a record crowd for the competition.
His versatility has been another feature of his progress. During the same season, Lacosta represented four different academy teams, moving from Juvenil B through to Castilla and making his debut in the Premier League International Cup.
Lacosta's playing style helps explain why the comparison with Valverde has emerged.
A strong central midfielder, he is comfortable operating across different areas of the pitch and combines an ability to cover significant distances with an eye for forward movement.
He can contribute in possession, distribute the ball intelligently and arrive from deeper positions to support attacks. His physical capacity and willingness to compete have also made him a valuable presence within the academy.
Away from football, the youngster remains close to his family, who regularly travel from Zaragoza to watch him play. He is also continuing his education, studying for a qualification in Administration and Finance.
Real Madrid's decision to renew his contract is recognition of the progress he has made and an investment in a player who has already experienced several important milestones.
The comparison with Valverde is an encouraging one, but Lacosta still has plenty of work ahead before he can establish himself at senior level. For now, the club have ensured that one of La Fábrica's most exciting midfield talents will continue his development in Madrid.