Eight years ago Brahim Diaz was a ball boy looking on as Isco broke through at Malaga.
On Wednesday night he sat alongside him on the Real Madrid bench - one 19-year-old waiting for his debut and one 26-year-old wondering what he has to do to start a game.
The Spain midfielder has barely played under Santiago Solari but despite numerous injuries he sat out the first leg cup last-16 on Wednesday night. He also 'liked' a tweet criticising his coach's decision to leave him out before later deleting the 'like'.
Diaz joined Isco on the hour as both warmed up to come on but it was Isco who joined the action first on 70 minutes. Diaz' number came up five minutes later as he joined the fray replacing Vinicius.
The Brazilian is a year younger than the £22million new signing and he showed the way for the new kid on the block by signing off with a volleyed goal before making way for Diaz.
The two embraced and Diaz' debut began.
He flew into a couple of tackles and was cheered by supporters when he cleared one dangerous Leganes forward foray for a corner.
He was lively at the other end too showing the quick feet and intelligent movement that have encouraged Madrid to pay him £3.1m euros a season.
On 90 minutes he was embraced by his captain Sergio Ramos. He must now wait to see if he makes the bench again for Sunday's league meeting with Betis as Madrid face a difficult home game with Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio still missing and Lucas Vazquez suspended.