At just 16 years old, Joan Martinez stood out as one of the brightest highlights of Real Madrid’s recently concluded US pre-season tour.
Recently integrated into the first-team setup under Carlo Ancelotti, the young prodigy had captured the Italian’s confidence, earning a spot in the squad for the European Super Cup.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa also saw him as a key player for the Youth League. Originally slated to feature prominently in Castilla and occasionally with Real Madrid C in Segunda RFEF, Martinez was expected to form a crucial partnership with Jacobo Ramon.
Alas, the youngster’s dreams of making an impact in the foreseeable future have been fatefully dashed following an ACL injury he picked up during Real Madrid’s training session.
A clash between Endrick and Martinez resulted in the injury
According to MARCA, the teenage centre-back suffered a blow due to a challenge between him and the new arrival Endrick.
The close proximity and physicality inherent in training can sometimes lead to accidental collisions and it appears the Brazilian was unintentionally at fault for injuring Martinez.
Despite the injury’s drawbacks, the prognosis is positive. It has been confirmed that, aside from the cruciate ligament tear, neither the meniscus nor the lateral ligament is affected.
The next step is to wait for the inflammation to subside before scheduling surgery. Following that, a lengthy recovery period, possibly 6-7 months, will commence.
For now, the youngster continues to receive heaps of support from his teammates and Endrick will also certainly be wishing for his teammate to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.
Given Real Madrid’s lack of options in the centre-back department and the waning possibility of any additional recruitments this month, the club would be hoping to have Joan Martinez back at the earliest.