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Coira even looks downright old compared to the 18-month-old toddler that Dutch club VVV Venlo signed to a largely symbolic 10-year contract this year after seeing his ability to kick a soccer ball. Signing children is nothing new in soccer, where almost every professional club has an extensive youth academy - like Barcelona's famous "La Masia," where dozens of young players live and train from the age of 11. "We look for something different, that quality or talent that makes them stand out from the rest." "They only have to be a standout," he said. He said players of any age can join Real Madrid, with one stipulation. I know they will take good care of him."Ĭlub spokesman Juan Tapiador said Coira wasn't the youngest player ever to sign with Madrid, although he couldn't name anyone younger.

"After tryouts with both clubs, he felt more comfortable with (Real) Madrid," Miguel Coira told ABC. Madrid reportedly made the push to sign Coira because Atletico Madrid was also pursuing the youngster.

The 7-year-old was then invited to a trial with Madrid and signed a one-year contract with the club's youngest team, the "Benjamin" squad, made up of mostly under-9 players. Miguel Coira coaches a local youth club where Leonel played and first caught the eye of a Madrid scout.

And the Spanish soccer power didn't have to look as far as Argentina to find this gem.Ĭoira's family moved to Madrid three years ago after his father, Miguel, was offered a job in the Spanish capital.

The signing underscores the tactics of top teams scooping up fresh talent as early as possible to avoid paying huge transfer fees when their potential blossoms. "(My) dream is to meet Messi, play in the first division with Madrid and for Argentina in the World Cup," Coira told the Spanish newspaper ABC. Coira hopes to follow the path set by Messi, a countryman who joined Barcelona from the Argentine club Newell's Old Boys as a teenager and has gone on to win the World Player of the Year award two times.