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Behind the Stripes

Josef Martinez

By Atlanta United FC

June 21^st, 2017

Growing up in Venezuela, years before he would ever put on the red, black and gold of Atlanta United, Josef Martinez already had dreams of becoming a special soccer player.

“When I was young, I always saw myself as a soccer player, nothing else."

“I was six years old when I started playing, inspired by my grandfather and father. I always played for fun, but when I was about ten years old, I realized I wanted to play as my career.”

After bouncing around a few academy systems in Venezuela and Argentina, Josef finally got his opportunity to shine in first-team soccer when he was 15, back in his home country with Caracas.

“It’s totally different down there, this academy is so much more professional than the one I attended in Caracas. In Venezuela, Caracas is the best right now in my opinion, but it’s amateur. Here it’s totally different.”

He would shine in his country’s capital, scoring eight times for the senior team before reaching the age of 18. But his success led to a new challenge. When he was still just 19-years-old he was sent halfway across the world to Young Boys, one of the premier clubs in Switzerland. And despite his promise from a young age, he had a hard time getting an opportunity to break into the team.

“The biggest obstacle in my career is when I played with Young Boys. There was a whole year I didn’t play one game. I played with their academy but wasn’t able to prove myself or work my way up. That was really difficult.”

So on he went to Torino, in Italy’s top division, Serie A. There he would go on to make nearly 60 appearances in one of Europe’s top divisions over the course of two and a half years, becoming a fixture on the international stage as well with his home country of Venezuela. It was then that his play caught the eye of Atlanta United, and its Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra.

“I talked with Carlos, then Tata five days later, and from the first moment I talked with them I liked the project. And it’s even more than I expected. Other places I’ve played, they never had a training center like we do. They never had people on the team that help you like the people we have here.

“From the first day I got here, I liked the people, the team and the city. And more than anything, it feels like a family.”

Josef says that feeling of family was important to him, and something he related to from the start.

“I’m very sentimental with my family. My aunt is here in Georgia, we live together, the rest of them are in Venezuela. I have four siblings, two girls and two boys, including a four-year-old brother that’s already playing soccer himself.”

Josef knew he was impressed by the vision of the ownership and coaching staff, but nothing could have prepared him for the reception he and his teammates get every match at Bobby Dodd.

“I’d say I’ve played in maybe one or two games ever with as many people as we’ve had in our first few home games, but that’s it. I think this is definitely one of the best fanbases I’ve ever played for."

So when the time came to pick his jersey number, he gave up the number 17 — the one he's worn his whole life and even has tattooed on his neck — in the ultimate sign of respect to the fans he now calls his home.

“Number 17 is really important to me because it’s the number I’ve worn for the Venezuelan National Team from day one. It may be my favorite number, but it is for the people of Atlanta."

Josef's admiration for the fans goes beyond his jersey number. He said the Five Stripes nation, just like club leadership, are showing the rest of the league how it's done.

“I think this team can help soccer grow in this country, I think it already is. I don’t think any other team has a training facility like we do, and the young players that we have on this team are doing things young players haven’t done before in MLS.”

Josef has reciprocated that love he’s gotten from the fans the best way he knows how: hitting the back of the net. Despite missing nearly three months due to injury this season, he has the best goals per game rate in the league. But he says that’s just the start.

“I have a lot of personal goals, including scoring lots of goals. But I also want to win something, and make this year an unforgettable one for Atlanta and Atlanta United.”

But more than anything, he says he’s happy to play for a club that values him, and gives him a platform to achieve the dreams he’s had ever since those early days in Venezuela.

"This club has given me the opportunity to become a special player, just like I’ve always wanted."

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