Josef Martínez Bio
Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia, born 19 May 1993, is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker. Standing 172 centimeters tall, he currently plays for Liga MX club Club Tijuana and represents the Venezuela national team. Martínez first rose to international attention at Atlanta United, where he set multiple Major League Soccer scoring records during a historic 2018 campaign.
Over the course of his career, Martínez has played in Venezuela, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States, building a reputation as a clinical center forward. He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in MLS history, having reached 100 league goals faster than any player before him. His journey from a youth prospect in Caracas to a record-breaking striker in North America reflects steady development and consistent production at every stop.
Early Life and Background
Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia was born on 19 May 1993 in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He grew up in a country with a passionate football culture, which shaped his early interest in the sport. From a young age, he joined local youth setups in Venezuela, working his way through the academy ranks and developing into a promising forward prospect.
His early football education took place in his homeland, where the competitive youth environment provided a strong foundation for his technical and physical development. By the time he reached his late teens, Martínez had attracted the attention of professional clubs in Venezuela’s top flight, setting the stage for his professional debut with Caracas in 2010.
Path to Soccer
Martínez made his professional debut with Caracas in the Venezuelan Primera División, where he quickly established himself as a reliable young attacker. His performances in domestic competition earned him a move abroad, and in January 2012, Caracas announced his transfer to Young Boys of the Swiss Super League on a four-year contract.
After one season in Bern, Martínez was loaned to Thun, where he scored eight goals in 18 league matches, briefly leading the Swiss Super League scoring charts. That loan spell confirmed his potential as a goal-scorer at the European level and prepared him for the next step in his career. His progression from Venezuelan football to the Swiss top flight marked his transition into high-level international competition.
Josef Martínez Career
Early Career (2010–2014)
Martínez made his debut for Caracas on 21 August 2010 against Estudiantes de Mérida, entering as a substitute in the 70th minute of a 1–0 win. He scored his first senior goal later that year in a 2–2 draw against Deportivo Petare on 21 November 2010. Those early appearances helped him earn recognition as one of the brightest young forwards in Venezuela.
At Young Boys, he debuted on 5 February 2012 against Servette and scored his first goal for the club on 21 October 2012, a volley against Grasshoppers. His strong form in Switzerland led to a call-up to the Venezuela national team, signaling his arrival on the broader international stage before his move to Serie A club Torino in June 2014 for a reported fee of €3 million.
Torino Breakthrough (2014–2017)
Martínez debuted for Torino in the 2014–15 Europa League against Brommapojkarna and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 home win in the return leg. He made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2014 in a 2–0 loss to Sampdoria and opened his league account on 7 December 2014 in a 2–2 draw with Palermo. He also scored his first brace in European competition against Copenhagen in a 5–1 Europa League win.
During his time in Italy, Martínez played under coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who often used him as a winger. On 30 April 2016, he netted his first Serie A brace in a 5–1 win over Udinese, showing the finishing ability that would later define his career. His development in Serie A prepared him for a fresh start in Major League Soccer.
Atlanta United Era (2017–2022)
On 2 February 2017, Martínez was loaned to Major League Soccer expansion side Atlanta United with a purchase option. He debuted on 5 March 2017 in a 2–1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls, and the following week scored the first hat-trick in club history during a 6–1 win at Minnesota United. Atlanta activated the buyout clause on 21 March 2017, and he was named MLS Player of the Month for March after five goals in his first three league games.
Injuries limited him to 20 appearances in 2017, but he still scored 20 goals across all competitions and was named to the MLS Best XI. In 2018, Martínez enjoyed a record-breaking season, tying and then breaking the MLS career hat-trick record, scoring 31 goals to surpass the previous single-season mark, and reaching the 100-goal MLS milestone faster than any player in league history in only 125 games. He also tied the league record by scoring in 15 consecutive matches, the third-longest streak in world football behind Lionel Messi and Tor Henning Hamre. Atlanta United won the MLS Cup that year, capping the most decorated single season in MLS history.
On 29 February 2020, Martínez suffered a torn ACL against Nashville and missed the entire 2020 season. He returned to action in 2021, scoring key goals for Atlanta, and capped his time with the club in 2022 by winning the MLS Goal of the Year award before leaving after six seasons.
Inter Miami Era (2023)
On 18 January 2023, Martínez was traded to Inter Miami, where he made his season debut on 25 February in a 2–0 win over CF Montréal. He played a key role as Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, scoring three goals in the competition, and also netted the lone goal in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final loss to the Houston Dynamo. On 21 October 2023, head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed that Martínez would leave the club after one season, and his departure was confirmed four days later.
CF Montréal Era (2024)
On 6 February 2024, CF Montréal signed Martínez as a free agent for the 2024 season with an option for an additional year. He finished the season with 13 goals and 3 assists, though the club declined his option, ending his time in Canada.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2025–Present)
On 13 January 2025, Martínez joined San Jose Earthquakes as a free agent on a one-year deal, marking his return to Major League Soccer. He continues to add experience and goal-scoring instinct to the Western Conference side.
Driving Style and Strengths
Primarily a center forward, Martínez is an aggressive and powerful striker known for his pace, dribbling, and accurate finishing with either foot and his head. His ability to make attacking runs off the ball and find dangerous positions in the penalty area makes him a constant threat. Under Gerardo Martino at Atlanta United, he was converted from a winger into a central striker, a move that unlocked his best goalscoring form.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2018 MLS season stands as the defining chapter of Martínez’s career, during which he captured the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP. He set the MLS single-season scoring record with 31 goals, broke the career hat-trick record in only 44 league games, and reached 100 MLS goals faster than any player in league history. His run of 15 consecutive matches with a goal ranks among the longest goal-scoring streaks in world football history.
Josef Martínez Career Wins
Across his career, Martínez has built a strong record of team and individual success, most notably leading Atlanta United to the 2018 MLS Cup and capturing four major individual awards that same year. He also contributed to Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup title with three goals during the tournament.
MLS Highlights
Martínez won the MLS Cup with Atlanta United in 2018, the same year he became the most decorated single-season player in league history. He set the single-season goal record with 31 goals and reached 100 career MLS goals faster than any player in league history. His MLS Best XI selection in 2017 and his 2022 MLS Goal of the Year award further highlight his impact on the league.
Other Wins and Performances
Martínez scored eight goals in 18 appearances during his loan spell at Thun in the Swiss Super League, briefly leading the league scoring charts. With the Venezuela national team, he scored a hat-trick against Bolivia on 10 November 2016 in a 5–0 World Cup qualifier win, and has represented his country at three editions of the Copa América. His 2023 Leagues Cup triumph with Inter Miami added another major team honor to his résumé.
Josef Martínez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Martínez’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely confirmed.
Personal Life
Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia maintains a public presence through social media, where fans can follow his career updates. There is no widely verified public information regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Martínez began 2025 by joining San Jose Earthquakes on 13 January on a one-year free agent deal, returning to Major League Soccer after his 2024 stint with CF Montréal. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to demonstrate his finishing ability in a new Western Conference setting. His experience and proven goal-scoring record are expected to play a key role in the Earthquakes’ attacking plans for the season.
Following a 2024 campaign in which he tallied 13 goals and 3 assists for CF Montréal, Martínez arrived in San Jose with momentum and a clear role as a veteran goal-scorer. He is positioned to compete for regular starts up front while mentoring younger attackers in the squad. His familiarity with MLS defenses and his comfort in front of goal should help him transition quickly into the Earthquakes’ system.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Martínez’s primary objective will be to stay healthy, contribute consistent goals, and help San Jose climb the Western Conference standings. With a one-year deal in place, every match carries weight as he looks to extend his MLS career and add to his already impressive list of league records.