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INKED

Josef Martinez

By Atlanta United FC

December 29^th, 2017

For anyone who’s witnessed Josef Martinez and his stoic goal celebration, what strikes you first, perhaps before his five-striped kit, is the ink that decorates his body.

However, it’s not just superficial art for the 24-year-old Venezuelan. He has many passions, strong beliefs and a number of people he cares for deeply. Tattoos are his tribute to the most important aspects of his life and the ink means he can truly cherish them forever.

There’s too many to count with two hands, but here is an inside look at a few of his favorites.

Starting on his neck, the text reads, “Lo que hacemos en la vida tiene su eco en la eternidad” translating to “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” Martinez always keeps this in mind, and with it printed on his neck he’ll never forget it, just like the 17 that sits below it.

Seventeen has been Martinez’s number for the majority of his career and it truly holds a special place in his heart, particularly in Atlanta where he gave up the number in dedication of the club’s supporters. In addition to his neck, you’ll find 17 on his knuckles of his left hand as he makes a fist “J-M-1-7.”

But more ink adorns the same hand, on the top, a soccer ball, for the sport that has inspired him throughout his life and closer to the tip of his fingers it reads “D-I-O-S” or “God” in Spanish.

Martinez lives by his faith and his tattoos demonstrate his dedication to religion. On his right forearm, what appears as a poem titled “Que es la vida” are the words of Mother Theresa of the Catholic Church. And on the inside of his left forearm a proverb from the Bible, one that he is fond of because of his grandmother.

Flip is forearms over and there lies more names of people that are special to him as well as two separate English scripts. But as he crosses his arms, you can read the phrase to its entirety: “God is my guide and family is my strength.”

Down on his left thigh is his most recent tattoo, inspired by the election and the political chaos that has transpired in his home nation this year. “Dios le da las peores batallas a sus mejores guerreros” translating to “God gives the worst battles to his best warriors.” Martinez loves his country, he loves his fellow citizens and no matter what struggles they may face, he believes in Venezuela and only wants what's best for his beloved homeland.

Ink is a way for Martinez to express his beliefs and hold on to what he loves. This is just some of the art that decorates his skin at the moment, but if recent history is any indication, these tattoos certainly won’t be his last.

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