Toni Martínez in frame for Spain’s 55-man World Cup list, and why he left Valencia | OneFootball

Toni Martínez’s hot streak with Deportivo Alavés has put him in the frame for Spain’s 55-man World Cup preliminary list, which must be finalised in 15 days. The striker hit a brace against Mallorca and now has 15 goals across LaLiga and the Copa this season.

According to Superdeporte, his rise has revived the question in Valencia about why he left in 2016, when the club sold the then 18-year-old to West Ham for about one million euros.

Raised in Paterna and once told he could be the next Paco Alcácer, he saw chances dry up. After a strong start with the B team he lost his place when Cedric arrived, dropped to the stands then back to the youth side, feeling stuck for two and a half years.

Valencia maintained he wanted out from January and had asked to leave. Coaches doubted his consistency, and he was competing with Rafa Mir, now at Elche.

He joined West Ham’s under-23s, then went on loans to Oxford United, Real Valladolid, Rayo Majadahonda and Lugo, leaving in 2019 without a Premier League debut.

He rebuilt at Famalicão with 16 league goal involvements. Porto paid 3.2 million, and he featured regularly across three seasons.

Alavés paid two million euros in 2024. Two years on, they value him at 15 million euros.

Source: Superdeporte