Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez was born on 2 February 1999 in San Sebastián, in the Basque Country of Spain. He joined Real Sociedad's academy in 2011 and worked his way through the club's lower divisions before making his La Liga debut in April 2019 as a late substitute against Getafe. He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Txuri-urdin, winning the Copa del Rey in the 2019–20 season and reaching the Champions League, where he debuted in a 1–1 draw against Inter Milan in September 2023.
In July 2025, Zubimendi signed for Arsenal in a deal reported at around £55.8 million. He made an immediate impression, scoring a brace in a 3–0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest in September 2025, with his first goal — a direct volley from outside the box — earning the Premier League Goal of the Month award for that month.
A composed, deep-lying midfielder with precise decision-making and strong ball retention, Zubimendi has drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets for his ability to control tempo and create space from deep positions. Arsenal have integrated him as a key figure in central midfield.
Zubimendi made his senior international debut for Spain in June 2021, called up during a COVID-affected squad reshuffle. He was part of the squad that won UEFA Euro 2024, appearing in four matches including the final against England, and also featured in Spain's 2022–23 UEFA Nations League-winning campaign.