Martín Zubimendi Explained

Martín Zubimendi
Full Name:Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez[1]
Birth Date:2 February 1999
Birth Place:San Sebastián, Spain
Height:1.81 m[2]
Position:Defensive midfielder
Currentclub:Real Sociedad
Clubnumber:4
Youthyears1:2006–2011
Youthclubs1:Antiguoko
Youthyears2:2011–2016
Youthclubs2:Real Sociedad
Youthyears3:2011–2013
Youthclubs3:Antiguoko (loan)
Years1:2016–2018
Caps1:26
Goals1:1
Years2:2017–2020
Caps2:50
Goals2:4
Years3:2019–
Caps3:145
Goals3:8
Nationalyears1:2016
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2020–2021
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2021
Nationalcaps4:6
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2021–
Nationalcaps5:10
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:18 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:14 July 2024 (UTC)

Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez (born 2 February 1999) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for La Liga club Real Sociedad and the Spain national team.

Club career

Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Zubimendi joined Real Sociedad's youth setup in 2011, aged 12.[3] He had also played for Antiguoko in the Donosti Cup between 2006 and 2013.[4] He made his senior debut with Real Sociedad C on 27 August 2016, playing the last seven minutes in a 0–0 Tercera División home draw against SCD Durango.

On 25 July 2018, Zubimendi renewed his contract until 2022, and was definitely promoted to the reserves in Segunda División B.[5] The following 28 April, he made his first team – and La Liga – debut, coming on as a late substitute for Rubén Pardo in a 2–1 home win over Getafe CF.[6] On 24 July 2020, he renewed his contract with the Txuri-urdin until 2025, being definitively promoted to the main squad.[7]

On 24 February 2022, Zubimendi scored his first goal in European competitions in a 3–1 home defeat against RB Leipzig during the Europa League knockout round play-offs.[8] A month later, on 13 March, he scored his first La Liga goal in a 1–0 victory over Deportivo Alavés.[9] In October, he extended his contract with the club until 2027.[10] On 20 September 2023, he made his Champions League debut in a 1–1 draw against Inter Milan.[11]

International career

Zubimendi represented the Spain under-19s in a friendly 2–1 loss to the Portugal under-19s on 15 November 2017.[12]

Due to the isolation of some national team players following the positive COVID-19 test of Sergio Busquets, Spain's under-21 squad were called up for the international friendly against Lithuania on 8 June 2021.[13] Zubimendi made his senior debut in the match.[14]

On 7 June 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[15] On 15 June, he made his first appearance in the Euros against Croatia as a substitute. He went on to play the full match against Albania on 24 June, and came off the bench in both the semi-final victory over France on 9 July and in the final against England on 14 July as Spain won the tournament.[16]

Style of play

Zubimendi's versatile style of play draws comparisons to renowned players, notably Sergio Busquets. He showcases composure and control, guiding plays and adjusting the game's tempo. His role involves initiating plays from deep positions, displaying precise decision-making. Zubimendi's aptitude for receiving passes and creating space is reminiscent of Busquets, reflecting a deep understanding of the game and the art of crafting opportunities. Additionally, his technical abilities, including dribbling and deep runs, align with top midfielders, while his ball retention in tight spaces mirrors qualities seen in players like Xabi Alonso and David Silva.[17] [18] [19]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCopa del ReyEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Sociedad B2016–17Segunda División B3030
2017–18Segunda División B2020
2018–19Segunda División B201201
2019–20Segunda División B253253
Total504000000504
Real Sociedad2018–19La Liga100010
2019–20La Liga9010100
2020–21La Liga310207010410
2021–22La Liga3624071473
2022–23La Liga3613040431
2023–24La Liga3146080454
2024–25La Liga11000011
Total1458160261101888
Career total195121602611023813

International

[20]

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Spain202110
202330
202460
Total100

Honours

Real Sociedad

2019–20[21] [22]

Spain U23

Spain

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squad List: Men's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020: Spain (ESP) . FIFA . 16 . 22 July 2021 . 29 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Martín Zubimendi . 2 August 2022 . Real Sociedad.
  3. Web site: Zubimendi llega para quedarse. Zubimendi arrives to stay. Cadena SER. es. 26 June 2020. 28 June 2020.
  4. Web site: Ten players who will play in the upcoming Cup finals at La Cartuja have in common having participated in the Donosti Cup! . Donosti Cup . 7 April 2021 .
  5. Web site: La Real renueva a Martín Zubimendi hasta 2022. Real renew Martín Zubimendi until 2022. Mundo Deportivo. es. 25 July 2018. 28 June 2020.
  6. Web site: La Real respira y complica la Champions al Getafe. Real breathe and complicate Getafe's Champions place. Diario AS. es. 28 April 2019. 28 June 2020.
  7. Web site: Until 2025. Real Sociedad. 24 July 2020. 8 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Un sueño que se esfuma . Marca . es . 24 February 2022 .
  9. Web site: La Real record another victory . Real Sociedad . 13 March 2022 .
  10. Web site: Real Sociedad confirm Martin Zubimendi extension until 2027 . Football España . 15 October 2022 .
  11. Web site: Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi: So proud to play Champions League in my hometown . Tribal Football . 20 September 2023 .
  12. Web site: España Sub-19 ofrece una buena imagen ante Portugal. Spain under-19 offer a good image against Portugal. Fútbol Juvenil. Cristina. Ripoll. es. 15 November 2017. 14 June 2020.
  13. News: Oficial Lista de convocados para el encuentro ante Lituania . Official Squad list for the match against Lithuania . . 6 June 2021 . 7 June 2021 . es.
  14. Web site: Spain youngsters impress in Lithuania rout. MARCA. 8 June 2021. 8 June 2021.
  15. News: 7 June 2024 . Official Final Spain squad for the Euro 2024 finals . . 13 July 2024.
  16. Web site: Spain 2-1 England: Late Oyarzabal winner earns La Roja record fourth EURO crown. UEFA. 14 July 2024 . 16 July 2024 .
  17. Web site: Lowe . Sid . Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi: ‘Xabi Alonso is an idol, a role model’ . The Guardian . 8 September 2022 .
  18. Web site: Kemp . Jamie . Martín Zubimendi: The Real Sociedad Midfielder Finding Stardom in Simplicity . The Analyst . 14 October 2022 .
  19. Web site: Harris . Thom . Martin Zubimendi is the Gen-Z Sergio Busquets at the heart of Real Sociedad’s midfield . The Athletic . 13 June 2023 .
  20. Web site: Martín Zubimendi. EU-Football.info. 20 February 2021.
  21. Web site: 4 April 2021. Athletic Club 0-1 Real Sociedad: result, summary, goal. 3 April 2021. AS.com. en.
  22. News: Lowe. Sid. 3 April 2021. Real Sociedad beat Athletic to claim Copa del Rey and Basque glory. en-GB. The Guardian. 3 April 2021. 0261-3077.
  23. Web site: UEFA.com . Spain 2-1 England UEFA EURO 2024 Final . 2024-07-14 . UEFA.com . en.
  24. News: Smith . Emma . 18 June 2023 . Spain win Nations League final on penalties . BBC Sport . 18 June 2023.