Joan Martinez happens to be one of four Castilla starlets in the Real Madrid first-team squad list for tonight’s UEFA Champions League game against SL Benfica.
The teenage defender has been called up by manager Alvaro Arbeloa, along with goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez, and midfielders Jorge Cestero and Thiago Pitarch, who intriguingly could have become a Benfica player a few years ago.
Joan Martinez pushing for first-team minutes
Now, AS reports that Joan Martinez has been making a strong case for himself to earn minutes with the Real Madrid first team.
He has been doing so for some time and Lisbon has reopened the opportunity, for now with the form a call-up to the squad, which has come under special circumstances.
Like Thiago Pitarch, Martinez had been summoned by Spain U-19 national team for their fixtures, along with four other Real Madrid youngsters – Jesus Fortea, Mario Rivas, Diego Aguado and Daniel Yanez.
But Arbeloa requested permission to retain Martinez and Pitarch and The Spanish Football Federation granted it, allowing them to travel to Estadio da Luz.
Joan Martinez (R) knocking on the first-team doors. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
It marks a return to prominence for Martinez since the game against Albacete. It is his first call-up under Alvaro Arbeloa since that defeat in the Copa del Rey, and his sixth overall. He arrives as the defensive leader of Castilla, having taken a big step forward in recent matches.
Indeed, Martinez showed in the recent UEFA Youth League game against Marseille that he has grown above the youth category, while his performances in the RFEF Primera Division have been solid and decisive as well.
The teenager is the most-used player for Castilla this season, with 1,145 minutes. He leads in aerial duels won with 62, clearances with 76, blocks with seven, interceptions with 94 and recoveries with 221.
In regaining possession after loss, he ranks second (97), and he wins 58% of his duels (154/265). He has also recorded the most progressive passes in the team with 150 and the most successful total passes with 1,144 (91.2% accuracy).
Real Madrid, for their part, have enormous faith in his potential and are convinced he is a centre-back that has the level to play for the first team.