About
Iván López Martínez.
Sports physiotherapist · Head of Physiotherapy at Al-Ittihad FC · 20+ years in elite football.
About
Two decades on the sideline of elite football.
I'm a sports physiotherapist specialized in elite football rehabilitation. For over twenty years I've led medical departments at top-tier clubs across Spain, Russia, and Saudi Arabia — designing modern return-to-play protocols, coordinating multidisciplinary medical teams, and bringing injured players back to competition safely and on time.
My approach combines evidence-based manual therapy, on-field rehabilitation, and close collaboration with medical imaging specialists (MSK ultrasonography) and performance coaches. Every program is built around one principle: the athlete returns stronger than before the injury, not just healed.
- Head of Physiotherapy, Al-Ittihad FC
- Former Head Physio, Lokomotiv Moscow FC
- Decade at Atlético de Madrid Academy
- Harvard Medical School · AI in Health Care
Professional Journey
A career built in world-class dressing rooms.
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2022 — Present
Head of Physiotherapy
Al-Ittihad FC · Saudi Arabia
Leading the physiotherapy department of one of Asia's top professional football clubs. Designed and implemented an updated rehabilitation model aligned with high-performance demands, coordinating multidisciplinary medical staff and overseeing on-field RTP strategies for the first team.
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2016 — 2022
Head Physiotherapist
Lokomotiv Moscow FC · Russia
Six years delivering elite-level physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation for first-team players in top-level Russian Premier League competition. Worked within international multidisciplinary environments during European competition cycles.
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2006 — 2016
Physiotherapist & Supervisor
Atlético de Madrid Fútbol Base · Spain
A decade developing young talent at one of Spain's most demanding academies. Integrated rehabilitation workflows with coaching and medical staff, supervised university student placements, and managed medical equipment inventory.
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2014 — 2016
Clinic Supervisor & Orthopedic Treatments
Clinic Ortega y Gasset 60 · Madrid
Supervised orthopedic treatments and maintained high standards of patient care in a private clinical setting.
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2005 — 2016
Physiotherapist
YNMD Physiotherapy Clinic · Spain
Delivered physiotherapy and rehabilitation services in private practice, applying manual therapy and modern treatment methods.
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2004
Internship
Real Oviedo CF · Spain
Completed internship in sports rehabilitation alongside the club physiotherapy team.
Education & Credentials
Academic foundation.
Continuous professional development spanning physiotherapy, sports medicine, osteopathy, and — most recently — the intersection of AI and healthcare.
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2025
AI in Health Care: From Strategies to Implementation
Harvard Medical School
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2011
Graduate in Osteopathy
Osteopathy School of Madrid (EOM)
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2006
Master in Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Alfonso X University & Real Madrid CF
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2005
Degree in Physiotherapy
Alfonso X University, Madrid
Languages
Two continents. Three languages.
Spanish
Native
English
C2 — Proficient
Russian
A2 — Basic
Want to work with me or download a protocol?
Reach out for elite-football consulting, rehabilitation model design, or athlete cases.