Real Madrid wonderkid on road to recovery! 17-year-old Joan Martinez in line for Club World Cup return after overcoming ACL injury

The 17-year-old has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since last August but AS states he is back training with Madrid's Under-19s. The report adds that it is 'difficult' but 'not impossible' for the defender to feature in the Club World Cup, which gets underway in just over a month's time.

Martinez is seen as one of Madrid's newest academy gems and someone outgoing manager Carlo Ancelotti is a big admirer of. The teenager was on Los Blancos' pre-season tour to the United States and had it not been for his big injury blow, would have featured frequently this term. The report adds that Madrid need him back soon, especially with the injuries to centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.

Spain Under-17 international Martinez, who joined Madrid from Levante's academy in 2023, is yet to make his first-team debut. His idol is reportedly compatriot and Los Blancos icon Sergio Ramos.

As Martinez steps up his recovery, his Madrid side - who begin their Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal on June 18 - take on Mallorca in La Liga action on Wednesday.