How Josef Martinez is more than just a goalscorer to Atlanta United

When Josef Martinez netted his 100th goal for Atlanta United, the outpouring of emotion made it obvious the relationship between player and club was about more than just breaking records.

But of course, Martinez did just that, becoming the fastest-ever player to reach a century of goals (all comps) for an MLS club, doing so in just 125 appearances. The Venezuelan also holds the record for most consecutive MLS games with a goal, netting 15 times in a row during the 2019 season, which is second only to Lionel Messi (21) in top-flight world football.

As he was handed a shirt with his name and '100' on the back following his goal on Wednesday, Martinez looked on the verge of tears. Those emotions were in full flow during a video posted on Atlanta United's social media with Martinez watching messages of congratulations sent from his family, former teammates like Almiron, his old boss Tata Martino, and even Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowksi.

Of course, without the goals, the MLS Cup medal and US Open Cup and Campeones Cup titles, the conversation regarding Martinez would be very different. But the way he's led this city - often thought to be cursed in a sporting sense - no matter what happened around him has gone a long way toward elevating his status.

As Miguel Almiron left for Newcastle, and Pity Martinez flopped, and the managerial merry-go-round picked up pace, Martinez stood tall. Even the ACL injury that kept him out for the whole of 2020 couldn't slow him down, with Martinez scoring eight goals in his last nine MLS appearances.

But it's Martinez the person who this city has really fallen in love with. The laughs - and sometimes clashes - with journalists, or taking time out of his day to visit a young fan on their birthday. Josef is a firebrand. But he's honest and full of integrity.

"I hope one day, because I know that all this is over quick, I hope one day to be remembered as a person who wanted to give the best for the club, the city, for the colours and that’s what makes it the most important," Martinez said following his 100th goal which delivered a 1-0 win over Inter Miami on Wednesday.

"This club for me is much more important than any other, and this city, this stadium, they gave me a lot of love when I needed it most and going through a tough moment. And I’m a part of them and they’re a part of me and my heart belongs to this club. And I just want to thank each of you and every person who has been with me these five years and I want to reach 200.”

"Six months ago, I didn't have the will to keep playing"

The fact that Martinez was even able to reach this milestone is a credit to his character and determination. That aforementioned ACL injury nearly ended his career, after all, but the 28-year-old battled back and is looking every inch his former self.

"It’s difficult because, as I said the last time I was sitting here, six months ago I didn’t have the will to keep playing," Martinez said. "A few days ago one of the people who made this possible, Freddy Fu, passed away. A lot of days of suffering and thinking if it would be possible to reach 100 because you don’t get to 100 every day. And more at one club. But I play with passion, for love, not for money or anything specific, just to win. And I have a lot of things going through my head but I share it with you and all my teammates because they are the ones who made this possible."

Team captain and goalkeeper Brad Guzan has been with Atlanta United alongside Martinez since the start and is more familiar than most just how much he brings to the club and city beyond the tangibles.

“The thing that Josef brings that you guys maybe don’t see, or only see a little bit of it in games, the thing that he brings, besides his goals which obviously change games, but the thing he brings is a commitment, intensity and desire to win," he said. "You can’t teach that. You can’t teach someone to want to win. They either have it or they don’t. And he has it in so much excess of it in terms of his ability to want to win.

"In the locker room he gave a little speech, and talked about his character or this and that and that’s just who he is. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Without him, you lose that spark on the other side of the field."

Guzan added: “Listen, the amount of work he puts in, and I know the struggles he went through with the injury probably more than you guys know. To see the ability to come back from that. He may say the same thing later, he’s probably not all the way the same Josef as he was before the injury, but again it’s a credit to his willingness to want to win, his willingness and desire to help the team be successful in whatever way possible. He finds a way and that’s a sign of a winner.”

The goals will keep on flowing. Atlanta United needs that to win more titles. Martinez has 200 firmly in his sights.

But no matter what happens from here, Martinez has already been crowned king of the city.

Now it's time to build the damn statute.