The Cut sits down with DeAndre Yedlin & Josef Martínez as they get new fresh cuts and chop it up about Martínez transition to Florida, his first season with Inter Miami, and all things life.
Who did Inter Miami get with Josef Martinez?
Unknown to the North American soccer audience, Martnez was sent on loan from Serie A team Torino to Atlanta in 2017. His on-field persona became significantly influenced by the scowl he frequently wore and the proverbial chip on his shoulder. As Martnez’s stardom spread around the league, his confidence created a strong bond with the city of Atlanta. Reporters in the area eagerly anticipated Martnez’s media availability. The fiery Venezuelan was a machine for quotes.
Martnez served as the face of Atlanta United, complete with highlight-reel goal celebrations, courtside tickets at Hawks games, and a penalty kick strategy that was more outrageous than it was successful. His heightened stutter-step-and-hop technique alarmed his coaches, but it was perfect for a player who thrives in the limelight.
Martnez walked away from Atlanta United with a sizable collection of individual awards and league championships. One of the best single-season performances in league history was his 39-goal campaign in 2018, which earned him the MLS All-Star MVP, league MVP, and MLS Cup MVP trophies. Martnez then scored a total of 32 goals in 2019. For many years to come, his 111 goals across all competitions will be the club record.
Martnez sustained a significant knee injury in the first match of the 2020 MLS regular season against Nashville FC in February. Since then, Martnez has struggled to recover from three knee operations.
Martnez joined Inter Miami on a one-year agreement with an option for a second season, which appears to be a deal that recognizes that if he doesn’t score double-digit goals, his marketability in the MLS in South Florida may stagnate. On the other hand, the league would benefit greatly from the Martnez brand’s successful revival in Miami. Despite playing fewer minutes, Martnez led Atlanta United in goals scored in 2021 and 2022 with a total of 21 goals. Although it might be his final opportunity in the MLS, there is a reason to give him a chance in a different setting.
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