Sergio Martínez, Real Madrid's slow-burning dream

The 19-year-old midfielder joined Real Madrid from Racing Santander two months ago for €3m but remains with Castilla, awaiting his debut under Mourinho.

Sergio Martínez left Racing Santander two months ago to join Real Madrid after impressing in his La Liga debut, where he scored against Villarreal. The 19-year-old midfielder from Laredo caught the club's attention with that goal in just his second top-flight appearance, prompting Real Madrid to pay his €3m release clause.

After arriving at Valdebebas, Mourinho included him in the squad for a match against Betis just four days later, but Martínez has not featured in any competitive minutes for the first team since. The Portuguese manager acknowledged the step up required: "He has potential, must work. The level of quality and intensity here is different."

Martínez is now developing with Real Madrid Castilla in the Segunda Federación, where he has made eight appearances (six as a starter) totalling 489 minutes without goals or assists. His path mirrors other academy prospects—Vinícius needed just five Castilla games before promotion, while Rodrygo required three, but Fede Valverde spent a full season in the B team before a loan move. Martínez's closest precedent is Sergio Canales, who left Racing at 19 in 2010 to join Real Madrid.