Jese's Goalscoring Return Restores Optimism in Real Madrid Youth Development

Had your eyes been closed, you could have mistaken the roar for the celebration of yet another Cristiano Ronaldo goal. 

It was a hearty roar. A passionate one. And it was loud—well, loud for a crowd of just 46,200 inside the Santiago Bernabeu, little more than half of the venue's capacity. 

But Ronaldo wasn't anywhere to be seen for Real Madrid's Copa del Rey clash with Cornella on Tuesday. Instead, the rapturous applause was prompted by the sight of Jese, who, almost eight months after suffering a serious knee injury in last season's Champions League, was warming up on the sideline.

The same roar was heard again just minutes later when the 21-year-old replaced Sami Khedira.

And again when he completed his first touch.

And again when he backheeled his way out of a tight corner. 

And again when he finished Isco's work to fire home Real's fifth goal. 

"Jese is back," read a sign in the crowd, the lettering as bold as the ovation. 

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

In the wake of his goalscoring return, the precocious forward was quick to acknowledge those who greeted him with such delight on Tuesday.

"The fans love me a lot and I love them too," he said, per Inside Spanish Football, referring to the obvious bond between the player and those who populate the Bernabeu.

The basis of that appreciation is simple: Jese is at home in Madrid, he's a home-grown star. Though born in Las Palmas, he's been with Los Blancos since he was 14. Such individuals are cherished in the Spanish capital; there's a romanticism that surrounds talent long nurtured by the club. 

The significance wasn't lost on Carlo Ancelotti, either, who made reference to Jese and others to come through La Fabrica.

"We finished the game with six players from the cantera (youth) squad, which is great news," the Italian said after the match, per Goal.

But right now, none are more prominent or more adored than Jese. 

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Of course, one of the common misconceptions that surrounds Real Madrid is that the club doesn't produce its own—"Barcelona breed them; Real Madrid buy them" is a widely held view, one that Gerard Pique alluded to last year. 

Certainly, there's been a degree of truth to that perception across the last two decades, given the way Barcelona's La Masia gave rise to perhaps the finest club side of all time, while Real, under Florentino Perez, pursued the controversial Galactico policy that prioritised foreign imports and largely ignored youth development. 

As such, Jese is a significant figure at Real Madrid. He represents something of an antidote to the club's maligned transfer activity since the turn of the century.  

Alongside Daniel Carvajal and Nacho—two other emerging players who are popular at the Bernabeu because of their roots—the forward, once described as "an insane talent" by Ancelotti, is restoring a sense of optimism in the club's fostering of youth. 

His success stirs emotion and evokes memories in long-time fans of Los Blancos, for there's an idealism to his presence. 

It was the same for Iker Casillas a decade ago. The same for Raul before him. The same for "La Quinta del Buitre" ("The Vulture's Cohort") comprised of the home-grown talents of Miguel Pardeza, Manolo Sanchis, Michel, Martin Vazquez and the iconic Emilio Butragueno.

Indeed, those associated with Real Madrid see Jese as a symbol of a certain purity that's been scarce for a decade or more. 

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

One might expect that such a situation, the anticipation that he could become the next Raul, would have left a heavy burden upon the forward. 

In fact, it definitely should have. But if it has, it's certainly not showing. 

Though an eight-month layoff stands in the middle, Jese has now scored seven goals in his 10 last competitive matches in which he's played 30 or more minutes. 

For a player who isn't yet 22, that's a remarkable return—particularly when you consider he's been forced to simply observe the path blazed by Ronaldo rather than afforded the weekly chance to follow it. 

"I'm very happy to have made my return and scored my goal," he said during the lasting glow that was evident after his comeback on Tuesday. "I dedicate this to the fans, because they have supported me a lot."

You get the sense they always will, because, more than anything, he's at home.

Follow @TimDCollins