Eloy Nebreda: A Rising Star in Cuban Football

fooball player from la liga Eloy Nebreda may have once dreamed, as a child playing during summer vacations in the dusty fields of the Las 400 neighborhood in Alquízar, Cuba, of becoming the first-ever international player from his country to represent the national football team. This remarkable feat could become a reality for the young footballer from the Real Sociedad academy this week.

Until recently, the name Eloy Nebreda was largely unknown to most Real Sociedad fans and likely to those following football in Cuba as well. However, news broke just days ago that he had been called up to the senior national team, despite being only 18 years old, having celebrated his birthday last month, and currently playing with the club’s second team in the Tercera RFEF.

Born in San Sebastián, Nebreda was signed by Real Sociedad’s youth team, Kostkas, at the age of 12. His remarkable dribbling skills and powerful left foot have been his standout attributes, allowing him to consistently compete in higher categories than those typically expected for his age.

His recent performances, including an impressive Olympic goal against Athletic in Lezama and a dominant display against Barcelona in the Copa de División de Honor Juvenil, caught the attention of the Cuban Football Federation’s coaches. They recognized him as a vital player to include now that the federation has opened its doors to players born outside the country.

Eloy’s father, Fernando, originally from Miranda, and his mother, Yaneldys Martínez, from Alquízar, are largely responsible for making this story possible. In April, they received a call from officials in Cuba, prompting them to expedite the double nationality process they had initiated for their son. Eloy has visited his mother’s hometown every summer and feels a strong connection to his roots, much to the pride of his mother and grandparents, Abel Martínez and Otmara González.

Although the paperwork narrowly missed the deadline for the recently held U-20 World Cup, last week brought the exciting news that Eloy had been called up for the national senior team. He is set to play against Saint Lucia tomorrow and Martinique on Saturday, joining a prestigious list of international players including Oyarzabal, Remiro, and Kubo. Given his promising future, Real Sociedad has secured him with a contract that extends until 2029.