Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Martinez tipped for bright future</li><li>Suffered torn ACL in training</li><li>Youngster reacts on Instagram</li></ul>

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

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

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 <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1821983888509694101" target="_blank">Fabrizio Romano</a>, the Spanish teenager will undergo surgery and be out for around six months.

WHAT HAPPENED?

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.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Taking to Instagram after the injury, Martinez wrote: "I will come back stronger."<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9baf6ba1d77a2db0/454638108_861346032119863_9153565289353694980_n.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9baf6ba1d77a2db0/454638108_861346032119863_9153565289353694980_n.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9baf6ba1d77a2db0/454638108_861346032119863_9153565289353694980_n.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Joan Martinez Real Madrid" data-source="IG/@joaanmartineez" data-copyright="IG/@joaanmartineez" data-portal-copyright="IG/@joaanmartineez" perform:prop="uuid:blt9baf6ba1d77a2db0;width:1290;height:2293"></picture>

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

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.

WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ?

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

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