Mariano Sánchez Martínez (born 28 January 1978) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
Born in San Pedro del Pinatar, Region of Murcia, Sánchez did not reach the Segunda División B until he was 26, arriving at CD Alcoyano in 2004 from amateurs AD Mar Menor-San Javier.
In the following year he moved to another club at that level, FC Cartagena, earning promotion to Segunda División in his fourth season.
[1] Sánchez made his debut in the competition on 29 August 2009 at the age of 31 years and seven months, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away win against Girona FC.
[5] Sánchez rejected an offer to play youth football for Real Murcia when he was 18, after deciding to move to Madrid to study architecture.