Xabi Alonso intensifies his monitoring of Real Madrid youth defender | OneFootball

Last week, Joan Martinez returned to the Real Madrid first-team training for the first time in over 400 days, marking a crucial step in his bid to return to the pitch.

Martinez was even involved in a friendly hosted between Real Madrid and RM Castilla during the international break, with the defender playing for the first-team.

It was reported that Xabi Alonso kept close tabs on Martinez during the friendly, which serves as an indicator of the coach’s desire to fast-track his integration into the first-team.

Alonso intensifies monitoring Martinez

According to MARCA, Alonso has been closely following the 18-year-old’s progress since his recovery.

The Real Madrid coach, in fact, has intensified his monitoring of the centre-back, convinced that his growth and physical improvement after the long injury layoff deserve attention.

Can Joan Martinez make a breakthrough in the first-team? (Photo by Ricardo Nascimento/Getty Images for DFB)

Martinez, who was sidelined for 424 days with a serious knee injury, has been gradually reintegrated into the club’s training structure.

After his recovery, a stay at Castilla was planned to help him regain rhythm and confidence, and the plan has worked well so far.

So far this season, Martinez has featured in eight games – seven under Arbeloa in the Primera RFEF, accumulating 585 minutes, and one appearance in the Premier League Cup, where he played 25 minutes.

Real Madrid have already demonstrated their faith in the young defender earlier this year by extending his contract until 2026 and setting a buyout clause exceeding €50 million.

Now, with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba injured and facing an uncertain future at the club, Joan Martinez’s ascension to the first team could be pivotal, as far as the future of the Real Madrid backline is concerned.