Real Madrid dealt bitter blow as young defender sustains ACL injury in training prior to start of 2024/25 season

Real Madrid’s highly-rated defender Joan Martinez will be out for half a year after tearing his ACL in training.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Martinez, 16, received devastating news on Friday when it was confirmed that he has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a non-contact incident in training. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish teenager will undergo surgery and be out for around six months.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Martinez has made a big impact on Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. He joined the first team for their pre-season tour of the United States, featuring in friendlies against AC Milan and Barcelona, and was training with the senior squad when he sustained the ACL injury. So this is an unfortunate setback for a player who was expected to play a role for the first team in 2024-25.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Taking to Instagram after the injury, Martinez wrote: “I will come back stronger.”

IG/@joaanmartineez

WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ?

The Spain Under-17 international will be sidelined until 2025 but hopefully his rehabilitation goes well and he’s able to appear for the first team in the second half of the season.