Real Madrid youngster Joan Martinez has officially returned to first-team training after spending nearly a full year on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Martinez, dubbed “the next Sergio Ramos” by the Spanish media, was one of the standout performers during Madrid’s 2024 preseason tour of the United States, catching the eye of then-manager Carlo Ancelotti with an impressive showing against Barcelona.
His performances were strong enough that he was expected to be immediately integrated into the first-team, joining the likes of Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger.
But the 18-year-old suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury in training shortly after that saw him ruled out for the entirety of the 2024-25 season.
Prior to injury, Martinez’s rise had been swift, breaking into first-team contention at just 16, and his injury was seen as a major setback for both the player and the club’s defensive depth.
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Martinez begins training under Alonso
As per reports from Fabrizio Romano, Martinez is now back in full training under Xabi Alonso and is being gradually reintroduced to senior sessions at Valdebebas.
Martinez is one of a few Spanish youngsters that has long been earmarked for success, with his Spain youth cohort also consisting of Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.
The Madrid hierarchy have plenty of confidence in Martinez’s ability, and the young Spaniard took an important first step with his return to first-team training on Tuesday (October 7).
Martinez’s return is also timely, with Madrid currently navigating a defensive injury crisis that has sidelined Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, and Ferland Mendy.
While it will still take time for Martinez to regain full match fitness, his reintegration represents a significant boost for Alonso’s depleted squad, and a major step in the recovery of one of Spain’s brightest young defensive talents.
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