José Mourinho has handed Real Madrid youngster Sergio Martínez a major first-team boost after confirming that the teenage midfielder will be included on the bench for the club’s upcoming La Liga match.
Martínez, 19, recently joined Real Madrid from Racing Santander in a deal worth around €3 million after attracting attention with his performances in Spain. The versatile central midfielder has initially been registered with Castilla but has already impressed Mourinho enough to earn regular opportunities to train with the senior squad.
Softfootball understands that the Portuguese manager has reportedly been personally involved in Martínez’s arrival and is understood to have played an important role in convincing the club to complete the deal. Mourinho, who began his second spell in charge of Real Madrid in June 2026, sees the youngster as a player capable of developing into an important part of the squad.
Standing tall and capable of operating in several midfield roles, Martínez has caught the coaching staff’s attention during his early exposure to first-team football. His progress has now accelerated with Mourinho deciding to place him among the substitutes for the upcoming league fixture.
Martínez’s promotion reflects Mourinho’s willingness to give young players opportunities during Real Madrid’s ongoing squad rebuild. Rather than relying exclusively on established stars, the manager appears prepared to integrate promising talents into the senior setup when they demonstrate the required quality.
For Martínez, a place on the bench represents another significant step in his rapid development. While a starting appearance may still be some way away, Mourinho’s decision to involve him with the first team provides the 19-year-old with an opportunity to gain valuable experience at the highest level.
