Sergio Martínez goes straight to Mourinho. First training session with Real Madrid’s stars

Sergio Martínez became a Real Madrid player on Monday. By Wednesday, he was already training alongside Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior. The 19-year-old will begin with Castilla, but José Mourinho has immediately introduced him to the demands of the senior team.

FROM SIGNING TO THE FIRST TEAM IN 48 HOURS

Real Madrid did not make Martínez wait long before showing him what his new environment could offer. Only 48 hours after his arrival was announced, the midfielder took part in a first-team training session at Valdebebas.

According to AS, Martínez worked under Mourinho alongside several of the biggest names in the squad, including Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinícius. His performance during the session reportedly produced a very positive first impression.

Castilla, who compete in the Primera Federación, will remain his primary team. That does not mean the door to the senior squad has been closed. Martínez is expected to participate regularly in Mourinho’s sessions, allowing the coach and his staff to monitor his development at close range.

The message is clear: Castilla is the starting point, but progression can come quickly if the midfielder responds to the challenge.

REAL MADRID WIN THE RACE

Real Madrid paid the €3 million release clause in Martínez’s Racing Santander contract. The midfielder has signed a deal running until 2030.

He was not short of admirers. AS reports that Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Villarreal had all shown interest, while clubs from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia were also following his progress.

Madrid moved decisively and offered the player a defined development plan. Martínez gave up the immediate prospect of playing regular LaLiga football with Racing to join Castilla and remain closely connected to Mourinho’s first team.

He has not been promised a place in the senior starting eleven. He has instead entered an environment where every strong performance in training can bring the next opportunity closer.

THE GOAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Martínez joined Racing’s academy at the age of ten and progressed through every level of the club. He made 15 appearances for the senior side, but his breakthrough moment arrived on his LaLiga debut against Villarreal.

The midfielder scored with a spectacular strike measured at 126.7 kilometres per hour. At 19 years and 93 days old, he became Racing’s youngest player in the 21st century to score on his debut in Spain’s top division.

Only 17 days separated that match from his first training session with Real Madrid. His career has accelerated almost as rapidly as the shot which introduced him to LaLiga.

CASTILLA IS THE BEGINNING, NOT THE CEILING

Standing 1.88 metres tall, Martínez is a right-footed midfielder capable of playing as a holding player, a box-to-box number eight or in a more advanced role. His physical strength, aerial ability and confidence in possession give him a profile that can be developed in several directions.

One session under Mourinho does not guarantee an immediate Real Madrid debut. It does, however, show that the club view Martínez as more than another addition to Castilla.

Within 48 hours of signing his contract, the 19-year-old was working with some of the finest players in world football. Real Madrid have given him an early look at the destination. Reaching it will now depend on how he responds.