Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster’s could depend on how things go at the FIFA Club World Cup
After spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Real Valladolid, Mario Martin returned to Real Madrid earlier this month.
Interestingly, the 21-year-old midfielder was soon named in the squad for the FIFA Club World Cup by new manager Xabi Alonso.
The La Fabrica talent is now in the USA for the tournament hoping to make an impression on the head coach.
Mario Martin’s future could be decided at Club World Cup
Now, according to AS, the Club World Cup will be a showcase for Mario Martin – either to solidify a place in the Real Madrid first team or to secure another move away from the club.
After enduring a mixed season at Valladolid, Martin has been a regular in Xabi Alonso’s training sessions at Real Madrid starting from June 9.
With Aurelien Tchouameni having been away on UEFA Nations League duty, Martin was the only pivot midfielder at the manager’s disposal initially.
This situation allowed him to travel to Miami, hoping to play again in the United States – just as he did a year ago in the pre-season. Back then, under Carlo Ancelotti, he was the only player alongside Lucas Vazquez to play all 270 minutes during the summer tour.
With Eduardo Camavinga injured, Martin has a real chance of getting minutes – especially in the first three matches against Al Hilal, Pachuca and RB Salzburg.
Whether the door for him to continue in Alonso’s plans remains open or closes will depend on his performances in the Club World Cup.
It must be noted that several La Liga teams are tracking the 21-year-old midfielder, along with two Bundesliga sides.
In case of a possible exit, though, Real Madrid are not willing to lose control of Martin. As such, if he leaves, it will be on loan or, at most, under a ‘50% rights’ arrangement.
Real Madrid are all set to take on Rayo Vallecano in their fifth La Liga match of the 2026/27 season in a little over an hour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having lost their previous league game to Real Betis, the Merengues will be eager to get things back on track and close the gap to leaders Barcelona, who are three points clear.
Diomande’s first start
With kickoff not far away, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Rayo Vallecano.
And the biggest headline is that marquee summer signing Yan Diomande makes his first start for Real Madrid.
The €140 million arrival from RB Leipzig has been drip-fed minutes off the bench so far by the manager, but has been thrust into the team tonight, replacing Brahim Diaz on the right flank.
What it also means is that Arda Guler has been left out by Mourinho after the youngster missed the midweek clash against Inter Milan through suspension.
Bernardo Silva, who was also unavailable for the Champions League clash, is back in the double pivot for Real Madrid, where he partners club captain Federico Valverde.
Jude Bellingham continues in the attacking midfield position, while Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. retain their places in the team as well.
In defence, there are a couple of alterations as Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras come into the side at the expense of Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella, respectively.
Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries complete the Real Madrid backline that will shield Thibaut Courtois in goal.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 12, 2026
🆚 @RayoVallecano
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