Real Madrid News
Real Madrid consider 17-year-old young defender ‘part of the first team’
according to journalist Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA, Real Madrid have high hopes for young defender Joan Martinez, as they see the 17-year-old as a future member of their first team, a belief solidified during the pre-season tour in the United States.
It must be noted that Martinez played an impressive 45 minutes against AC Milan and over half an hour in the high-stakes clash against Barcelona, leaving a lasting impression on the coaching staff.
Unfortunately, his momentum has been cut short due to a serious knee injury that may sideline him for the entire season.
Despite this setback, Real Madrid remain confident in his potential. The team fully expects Martinez to make a strong comeback and regain his place in the squad once he recovers from the injury.
Martinez has extended his contract
Their faith in him is reflected in the club’s decision to offer him a new contract. The terms of this agreement have significantly improved his status as a youth player, and a release clause has been set at over €50 million.
This hefty clause not only shows how highly Real Madrid value him but also acts as a safeguard for his future at the club.
The plan is clear: once Martinez returns to full fitness, the club expects him to continue his development with the first team. With his contract now securing his future and the team counting on him, Martinez is seen as a key player for Real Madrid’s future.
His progression to the senior team is expected to take full effect when he turns 18 in August 2025, and the club is keen to ensure that his injury does not disrupt his long-term potential.
Real Madrid are firmly committed to seeing Martinez become a crucial part of their defensive setup in the years to come.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
