Xabi Alonso could promote 17-year-old Real Madrid prodigy to the first team | OneFootball

Joan Martinez was one of the standout revelations of Real Madrid’s pre-season last summer.

Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, he played a total of 78 minutes during the tour of the United States, including 33 minutes against Barcelona. He made a strong impression both in the two friendly matches and during training sessions.

However, in early August, the 17-year-old centre-back suffered an ACL injury, ruling him out for an extended period.

Joan Martinez an option for Xabi Alonso

Now, according to AS, nearly a year later, Joan Martinez is in the final stage of his recovery and is emerging as a realistic option for integration into the first-team squad under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

Alonso is keeping an eye on Joan Martinez. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The recent departure of Jesus Vallejo to Albacete and Jacobo Ramon’s imminent move to Como have reduced the number of centre-backs in the first-team squad.

Real Madrid currently has five central defenders: Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, and David Alaba, whose future remains uncertain, with the club reportedly open to his departure.

While there are talks of a move for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, complications are expected in pushing the deal through this summer.

As such, Martinez is once gaining relevance in the coaching staff’s plans for the upcoming season.

The 17-year-old’s immediate priority is to fully recover from his knee injury. Once fit, he is expected to regain match rhythm with Castilla under Alvaro Arbeloa, following which Alonso will take a call on his integration into the senior setup.