Mikel López: Real Madrid 15-year-old striker compared to Erling Haaland

Mikel López, a 15-year-old striker in Real Madrid’s academy, has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland after a prolific goalscoring run for La Fábrica and a standout showing at the FIFA U-15 World Cup, according to reporting on 3 November 2026.

Born in 2011, López joined Real Madrid's youth setup following a transfer from Canillas and has been listed as part of Cadete A since 2022; he is already reported to measure 1.92 metres and was said to have been 1.80m at age 10.

López’s goalscoring across age-group seasons is documented as follows: 30 goals for Alevin A in 2022-23, 38 for Infantil B the following season, 43 for Infantil A in 2024-25 and 37 for Cadete B in 2025-26, a sequence that the report totals to 148 goals at La Fábrica.

At the FIFA U-15 World Cup in Baku, López scored six goals while Spain won the championship, an outcome the report cites as reinforcing his rising reputation.

The profile lists López’s playing characteristics as an imposing aerial and physical presence who holds up play, wins duels in the penalty area and scores with both feet, volleys and headers; it adds that his movement inside the box and one-touch finishing display reflexes and poise beyond his years, and that coaches and scouts note his work ethic and tactical maturity.

The article states that people inside the club have described López with loaded comparisons, labelling him "MONSTER" and saying he is "VERY SIMILAR to ERLING HAALAND," and that senior team management is keeping an eye on his development.

Real Madrid extended López’s contract in November 2025 and, the report says, will try to persuade him to remain at La Fábrica as the club monitors his progress.

When López turns sixteen in 2027 he will be able to sign his first professional deal.