‘Signing’ closed, he'll train at Valdebebas starting today, Xabi Alonso celebrates his arrival

One of the most important pieces of news for Xabi Alonso during this vacation period, right before the 25/26 preseason, is the return of a young prospect to training. Joan Martínez has fully recovered from the serious injury that affected his left knee in August 2024 and  now, with Real Madrid Castilla, is finally returning to Valdebebas.

The promising center-back was already part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans for last season. This was shown when the Italian coach decided to call him up for the tour in the United States, where he played a significant role and delivered encouraging results. The injury that occurred during the last month of the summer changed everything.

Not only did it prevent him from establishing himself in the first team during the important shortage of center-backs, a situation that Raúl Asencio took advantage of to fill that spot. It also caused him to fall slightly behind the competitive pace he had kept up to that point, putting his development within the white squad at risk.

Xabi Alonso, however, has chosen to be patient with the Valencian center-back. That's why he celebrates his return to training with Real Madrid Castilla. The sports discipline led by Álvaro Arbeloa welcome one of the most promising footballers from La Fábrica, an ideal circumstance for his future in the first team.

He has another opportunity

Not for nothing, the current Real Madrid Castilla coach has a close connection and friendship with Xabi Alonso, so the exchange of information is fluid. Especially if the Tolosa coach asks his friend to closely monitor Joan Martínez's progress. The Valencian center-back seems like the signing needed to strengthen the white defense.

However, the true development of those intentions won't be known until the young defender takes part in the first training sessions, starting today. Only his performance in the preparatory sessions and in Real Madrid Castilla's matches will deliver a verdict. If the player shows promising progress, the white coach could consider his "promotion".

That decision has come thanks to a pact sealed between Joan Martínez himself, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa. The information published by MARCA reveals an essential agreement for the future of the young Madridist talent, whose arrival in Santiago Bernabéu locker room was delayed by the knee injury.

The plan with Joan Martínez seems very clear, but both coaches must wait for the results the player delivers on the field. Xabi Alonso keeps his esteem for Joan Martínez high, but he also fears that this long-term injury has affected him much more than has been foreseen so far.