Ramón Martos leads Ireland to U17 World Cup round of 16

Ramón Martos, the rising star from UD Almería U19s 'A', has played a pivotal role in helping the Republic of Ireland secure a spot in the Round of 16 at the U17 World Cup in Qatar. The talented midfielder, who holds dual Irish and Spanish nationality, has been a standout performer for the Irish youth squad throughout the tournament.

Born in Dublin to an Irish mother and an Almería-born father, Martos has been a regular in the Irish national youth teams. Although he represents Ireland at the international level, his roots in Almería have made him one of the brightest prospects from the Spanish club’s Academy. Wearing the No.10 shirt, he has been a key figure in Ireland's successful run in the World Cup U17, showing maturity beyond his years.

Ireland cruised through the group stage with impressive results, starting with a 4-1 victory over Panama. They then secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Uzbekistan before playing out a goalless draw with Paraguay in their final group match, a game that had little bearing on their progression after already securing qualification.

In the round of 32, Ireland faced a more challenging test against Canada. The game ended 1-1, but the Irish prevailed in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, triumphing 9-8 to advance to the Round of 16.

Martos has been a regular starter in every match so far, except for the clash against Paraguay. His performances in Qatar have showcased his skill, game awareness and leadership in midfield, making him one of the standout players of the tournament. With his ability to control the pace of the game and his creative contributions, the young midfielder is rapidly becoming one of the key figures of the U17 World Cup 2025.

As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on Martos as he continues to shine on the global stage and further solidifies his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in world football.