Joan Martínez is back. Joan Martínez is the 16-year-old center-back who captivated Carlo Ancelotti during the American tour. His striking resemblance led to comparisons with Sergio Ramos.
The Trending Academy Player
He was the trending academy player last summer, and many speculations arose about his bright future as a Real Madrid player. He was only 16 years old and had already debuted with the white team against Milan.
The Italian coach made plans for him. He incorporated him into the first team, and during a training session, he suffered a anterior cruciate ligament rupture that completely derailed his career. That happened when Ancelotti had informed him that he would be drafted for the UEFA Super Cup.
The recovery, since August, has been tough. It has been eight months since the incident, and he is on the verge of reappearing.
The doctors are confident in giving him medical clearance in two weeks. He has returned stronger than before the injury and with all the desire to conquer the world.
Debut in LaLiga and to the Club World Cup
Ancelotti has spoken with him, wished him good luck in the final stretch of his recovery. He has announced that if he returns to the same level as before, he will make him debut with Real Madrid in one of the last league matches.
There is even speculation that Ancelotti might take him to the Club World Cup. Not to play but to help him regain his rhythm by acting as a sparring partner in training sessions.
The doctors have scheduled for Joan to train fully with Juvenil A, which corresponds to his age, at the beginning of April. That is, in just 15 days.
Then he will be registered with team C. And at the disposal of Raúl or Carlo Ancelotti if they need him in Castilla or the first team.
The return of Joan Martínez is excellent news for Madrid fans. Also for Raúl Asencio, although the Canary Islander knows that Joan's presence in the first team will overshadow his emergence in recent months.
Ancelotti's Favorite
Asencio knows that Ancelotti's favorite, by conviction, to occupy one of the center-back positions in his team was Joan Martínez. He turned to him because there was no other option in a moment of emergency when injuries were piling up.
He knows that as soon as Joan Martínez is available, Ancelotti will open the doors of the first team for him. With Militão and Rüdiger already there (plus a possible signing), his chances of playing will decrease significantly next season.
Martínez is Ancelotti's favorite. Asencio has always been clear about that, knowing that with Joan Martínez's return, dark clouds are looming for him.
Only with his perseverance and quality can he face this setback. Why not Asencio and Joan Martínez together?