Real Madrid call up Sergio Martinez for Real Betis clash as seven players miss out

Jose Mourinho has named the Real Madrid squad for Friday’s La Liga meeting with Real Betis, with teenage midfielder Sergio Martinez included for the first time while seven injured players remain unavailable.

Real Madrid travel to face Betis in the fourth round of the Spanish league. The club have won their opening three matches and sit level at the top of the table with Barcelona, although the Catalan side lead on goal difference.

The main change to Mourinho’s selection is the inclusion of Martinez, a 19-year-old midfielder who joined Real Madrid from Racing Santander in recent days for a fee of about €3m.

Martinez had initially been expected to link up with Real Madrid Castilla. Instead, he has become part of the first-team group, having already trained with Mourinho’s senior squad, and has now been named in the matchday selection for the trip to Betis.

Real Madrid will be without Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, Tiago Pitarch, Raul Asencio, Eder Militao and Rodrygo. All seven players are continuing their recovery from injuries.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Javi Navarro.

Defenders: Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Rudiger, Denzel Dumfries, Mario Rivas.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, Sastero, Aleksis Seria, Sergio Martinez.

Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Carlos Espi, Brahim Diaz, Yann Diomande.

Martinez’s promotion gives Mourinho an additional midfield option as Real Madrid attempt to maintain their perfect start to the league campaign. His selection also marks the latest stage in a rapid move from the club’s expected reserve-team pathway into the senior squad.

The match against Real Betis will be Real Madrid’s fourth league fixture of the season. They currently share first place with Barcelona, but Barcelona’s superior goal difference means the Madrid side begin the round just behind their rivals in the standings.

While the seven absences reduce Mourinho’s available options, the squad still includes Courtois, Lunin, Bellingham, Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Mbappe, as well as new additions such as Martinez. Real Madrid will now look to extend their unbeaten start when they visit Betis on Friday.