Real Madrid defender Joan Martinez will undergo surgery next week after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The 16-year-old centre-back sustained the injury during a training session with Real Madrid’s first team, with whom he had travelled on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
He will be assessed on Tuesday — the day of his 17th birthday — with the plan for him to undergo the surgery later in the week.
In the next few days, he will undergo surgery on the issue with it still be determined how long he will be out of action for.
The player had been a popular player during Madrid’s U.S. tour, where he played two matches against AC Milan and Barcelona.
He was expected to get more opportunities in the first team this season after the departure of Nacho Fernandez and the failure to sign defender Leny Yoro, who instead joined Manchester United.
Martinez is contracted at Madrid through to 2026 with his spot in the squad taken by another highly-rated young central defender, Jacobo Ramon.
Madrid begin their defence of their La Liga title against Mallorca on Sunday (August 18).
(Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
