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.
 Zubimendi playing for Real Sociedad in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 2 February 1999[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | San Sebastián, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Real Sociedad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2011 | Antiguoko | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2016 | Real Sociedad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | → Antiguoko (loan) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Real Sociedad C | 26 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2020 | Real Sociedad B | 50 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019– | Real Sociedad | 157 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Spain U17 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Spain U19 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Spain U21 | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Spain U23 | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021– | Spain | 15 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
editBorn 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.[citation needed]
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
editZubimendi 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
editZubimendi'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
editClub
edit- As of match played 10 November 2024[20]
| Club | Season | League | Copa del Rey | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Real Sociedad B | 2016–17 | Segunda División B | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | Segunda División B | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19 | Segunda División B | 20 | 1 | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | ||||
| 2019–20 | Segunda División B | 25 | 3 | — | — | — | 25 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 50 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 4 | ||
| Real Sociedad | 2018–19 | La Liga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | La Liga | 9 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | La Liga | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7[b] | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | La Liga | 36 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7[b] | 1 | — | 47 | 3 | ||
| 2022–23 | La Liga | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | — | 43 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24 | La Liga | 31 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8[d] | 0 | — | 45 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | La Liga | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | — | 16 | 1 | ||
| Total | 157 | 8 | 16 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 203 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 207 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 253 | 13 | ||
- ^ Appearance in 2020 Copa del Rey final (played in 2021)
- ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance in Supercopa de España
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
International
edit- As of match played 15 November 2024[21]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 11 | 1 | |
| Total | 15 | 1 | |
- As of match played 15 November 2024
- Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zubimendi goal
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 October 2024 | Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain | 13 |  Denmark |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A |
Honours
editReal Sociedad
Spain U23
- Summer Olympic silver medal: 2020[citation needed]
Spain
References
edit- ^ "Squad List: Men's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020: Spain (ESP)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 July 2021. p. 16. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Martín Zubimendi". Real Sociedad. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Zubimendi llega para quedarse" [Zubimendi arrives to stay] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "La Real renueva a Martín Zubimendi hasta 2022" [Real renew Martín Zubimendi until 2022] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "La Real respira y complica la Champions al Getafe" [Real breathe and complicate Getafe's Champions place] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "Until 2025". Real Sociedad. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ "Un sueño que se esfuma" (in Spanish). Marca. 24 February 2022.
- ^ "La Real record another victory". Real Sociedad. 13 March 2022.
- ^ "Real Sociedad confirm Martin Zubimendi extension until 2027". Football España. 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi: So proud to play Champions League in my hometown". Tribal Football. 20 September 2023.
- ^ Ripoll, Cristina (15 November 2017). "España Sub-19 ofrece una buena imagen ante Portugal" [Spain under-19 offer a good image against Portugal] (in Spanish). Fútbol Juvenil. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ "Oficial | Lista de convocados para el encuentro ante Lituania" [Official | Squad list for the match against Lithuania]. Royal Spanish Football Federation (in Spanish). 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "Spain youngsters impress in Lithuania rout". MARCA. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Official | Final Spain squad for the Euro 2024 finals". Royal Spanish Football Federation. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Spain 2-1 England: Late Oyarzabal winner earns La Roja record fourth EURO crown". UEFA. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Lowe, Sid (8 September 2022). "Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi: 'Xabi Alonso is an idol, a role model'". The Guardian.
- ^ Kemp, Jamie (14 October 2022). "Martín Zubimendi: The Real Sociedad Midfielder Finding Stardom in Simplicity". The Analyst.
- ^ Harris, Thom (13 June 2023). "Martin Zubimendi is the Gen-Z Sergio Busquets at the heart of Real Sociedad's midfield". The Athletic.
- ^ Martín Zubimendi at BDFutbol
- ^ "Martín Zubimendi". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Athletic Club 0-1 Real Sociedad: result, summary, goal". AS.com. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Sid (3 April 2021). "Real Sociedad beat Athletic to claim Copa del Rey and Basque glory". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ UEFA.com. "Spain 2-1 England | UEFA EURO 2024 Final". UEFA.com. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Smith, Emma (18 June 2023). "Spain win Nations League final on penalties". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
External links
edit- Real Sociedad profile (in Spanish)
- Martín Zubimendi at BDFutbol
- Martín Zubimendi at LaPreferente.com (in Spanish)
- Martín Zubimendi at Soccerway