Real Madrid Confidencial After Pitarch, Xabi Alonso is close to securing the signing he needs to finalize the team
Joan Martínez is having a great preseason with a progressive increase in minutes and is set to strengthen the defense
Real Madrid keeps shaping its squad for the 2025/26 season. After Pitarch's arrival, Xabi Alonso is now looking at a homegrown name: Joan Martínez.
The young footballer is having a very exciting preseason after overcoming a serious injury that sidelined him for months. His progress is being closely monitored by the white technical staff.
Minutes on the rise in preseason
Joan Martínez started with 46 minutes against Marbella. Then he played 30 against Ferrol. Against Andorra, last August 8, he played the full match.
In the following games, his progress was clear: 44 minutes against Valencia B and yesterday, against Ibiza, he played the full 90 again. He is feeling better and his physical condition is starting to respond to the demands of the elite.
According to Defensa Central, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa have kept several talks with the academy player in recent days. The message has been clear: calm and patience.
Both coaches want Joan to reach 100% before making the definitive leap. At the club, they recall that receiving medical clearance is not the same as being ready for competition. Even more so when it comes to such a tough injury as his.
At Madrid, they believe that the desire to show himself can be a double-edged sword. The player has character, drive, and ambition, but he will need to pace himself so as not to rush his return.
Possible debut with the first team
If the progress continues to be positive, Joan Martínez will have a special reward. Real Madrid is considering giving him official minutes with the first team this very season.
It would be the reward for an exemplary recovery process and a preseason where he has shown he is ready to compete at the highest level.
Xabi Alonso is clear: after Pitarch, this "internal signing" could be the last piece needed to round out the squad. A homegrown reinforcement, with Madridist DNA and a story of overcoming adversity that makes him one of the standout names of the summer in Valdebebas.
The future is in his hands. Everything suggests that Joan Martínez is closer than ever to fulfilling his dream.
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