Manchester City’s Champions League semi final opponents have been humbled in La Liga by the player whose already outlined his ambition to play for Pep Guardiola

Taty Castellanos has left Real Madrid shellshocked (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Taty Castellano may have taken a step closer to his dream of playing for Manchester City with a four star showing against Real Madrid.

In a shock defeat for the reigning La Liga champions, the Argentinian striker tore the visitors apart with two goals in each half as Girona prevailed 4-2. It all but ends Real’s faint hopes of retaining their title, and the result would have been noted by Pep Guardiola ahead of the Champions League semi final first leg between his side and the Spanish giants next Tuesday.

But it’s not just Real’s drop off in form that would have alerted the City boss. Castellano, who thumped a header past Andriy Lunin before finishing cooly between the keeper’s legs, completed his hat trick with a crisp finish after the break before another header sealed the points.

The 24-year-old is on loan from New York City FC, and made his name in America in 2021 by winning the Golden Boot and helping his side to the MLS Cup. And during that campaign his form was noted by Guardiola.

“I think he is a guy who will do the next step in Europe,” he said in a press conference. “What I saw when the scouting department talked to me, I know he’s a quality player and ready to make the next step to Europe and we will see where.”

Given he’s contracted to City Football Group (CFG) amid the club’s partnership with the New York team, he’s inevitably been touted to one day arrive at the Etihad. And in January the player himself wasn’t shy to express that desire.

Guardiola is an admirer of the Argentinian striker ( Image: Richard Pelham NMCPool)

“Who doesn’t want Pep to lead you, being one of the best coaches in the world?” he said, via Tribal football . “It was a very nice experience. When I was 17 years old I already had to train with the City under-23 and it was a pleasure to meet him.

“My idea now is to be in Girona and try to establish myself in Europe. I am calm, enjoying this process. When the time comes to decide what to do, my representative and the club will meet to decide what’s best for me.”

Castellanos now has 15 La Liga goals in the 2022/23 campaign. He’d previously struck 50 times in four full seasons in the MLS for New York City, having joined from Uruguayan outfit Club Atletico Torque in 2019.