Joan Martínez chooses Real Madrid despite exit offers as decisive season begins

Joan Martínez had several opportunities to leave Real Madrid during the summer transfer window but decided to remain with Castilla for another season, according to AS. The 19-year-old centre-back has chosen to continue his development at La Fábrica without receiving any guarantee of a permanent first-team place.

The report does not identify the interested clubs or disclose the financial terms of their proposals. His decision to stay has also been reported by AS rather than announced in an official statement from Real Madrid.

SEVERAL OFFERS, ONE CLEAR CHOICE

Martínez’s situation remained unresolved when Castilla began their competitive campaign against Teruel. He started on the bench as summer signing Oscar Naasei partnered Mario Rivas in central defence. AS reports that the uncertainty surrounding Joan’s future while the transfer window remained open was the main reason behind that selection.

The defender eventually chose another year in Madrid. He is now expected to regain a prominent position in Castilla and take greater responsibility at the heart of the defence.

Martínez made 36 appearances last season, scoring three goals across 2,883 minutes. That workload represented a significant step after the serious knee injury he had suffered a year earlier. Álvaro Arbeloa gradually increased his involvement before placing considerable trust in him during Castilla’s campaign.

There is no shortcut attached to his decision. Staying at Real Madrid does not automatically move him into the senior squad, but it gives him another opportunity to earn that promotion in the most demanding environment available to him.

MOURINHO HAS ALREADY TESTED HIM

José Mourinho took a large group of academy players into the opening stage of preseason while several senior footballers were unavailable. Martínez was among those given a genuine opportunity.

He started against Fiorentina and was also included in the line-up against Ferencváros. After the Fiorentina game, Mourinho praised the performances of Martínez and Mario Rivas while pointing to the physical gap exposed when Moise Kean attacked the penalty area.

It was an encouraging but measured assessment. Martínez showed the technical and tactical qualities required to compete alongside senior players, although he still needs to develop physically before he can regularly handle elite forwards.

Once La Liga began and Mourinho recovered more established first-team options, Joan dropped out of the matchday squads. AS nevertheless reports that he is expected to continue training with the senior side when required and could receive further call-ups during the season.

CASTILLA LEADER, NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT

Real Madrid have not announced Martínez’s promotion or promised him first-team minutes. The route described by AS is more balanced: regular football and leadership duties with Castilla, supported by occasional exposure to Mourinho’s squad.

This could be his final campaign with the reserve team. Martínez is entering his fourth season at La Fábrica after arriving from Levante in 2023. He has already responded to a major injury, established himself at Castilla level and experienced first-team football during preseason. His next challenge is to turn that promise into consistent authority.

Real Madrid’s approach also reflects patience. Interest from other clubs has not forced the academy to rush a defender whose development still requires competitive minutes. Martínez can lead Castilla while remaining close enough to the senior squad to take an opportunity if one appears.

Turning down other options does not guarantee him a career at the Santiago Bernabéu. It does, however, show that he wants to earn that future at Real Madrid, accepting both the scale of the challenge and the standards that come with it.