José Andrés Martínez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Torres.

José Andrés Martínez Torres (born 7 August 1994) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Brazilian club Corinthians and the Venezuela national team.^[2] Martínez has been referred to by the nickname "el Brujo" (Spanish for "the Wizard").^[3][4]

José Andrés Martínez

Personal information
Full name	José Andrés Martínez Torres
Date of birth	(1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Maracaibo, Venezuela
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Corinthians
Number	47
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2017	JBL Zulia	60	(3)
2018–2019	Zulia	61	(2)
2020–2024	Philadelphia Union	108	(3)
2024–	Corinthians	8	(0)
International career‡
2021–	Venezuela	34	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:10, 5 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:41, 10 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Zulia

After two seasons with Deportivo JBL del Zulia, Martínez signed with Zulia FC ahead of the Apertura tournament in December 2017.^[5] While with Zulia, he earned the 2018 Copa Venezuela title and made a historic run in the Copa Sudamericana; advancing through to the quarter-finals.^[6]

Philadelphia Union

In December 2019, Martínez signed a two-year contract with Philadelphia Union competing in Major League Soccer for a transfer fee reported around $325,000.^[7] Martínez made his debut start for the Union in a 3-3 draw at Los Angeles FC.^[8] During the 2020 season, Martinez grew praise for his quality of play as one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS.^[9][10] His first season in MLS finished with 14 regular season starts, contributing two assists, and ultimately resulting in the Union's first trophy, the 2020 Supporters' Shield.^[11] In January 2021, Martinez signed a new contract with the Union through the 2022 season, with options for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.^[11][12]

On June 21, 2023, Jose Martinez scored a goal for the Union that was nominated for the MLS Goal of the Year Award

International career

Martinez received his first official call up to the Venezuela national team in October 2020.^[13] He represented the senior Venezuela national team in a 3–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification loss to Bolivia on 3 June 2021.^[14]

Career statistics

Club

As of 10 November 2024^[15]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
JBL Zulia	2015	Venezuelan Primera División	0	0	0	0	–		2[a]	0	2	0
	2016		32	2	2[b]	0	–		0	0	34	2
	2017		28	1	0	0	–		0	0	28	1
	Total		60	3	2	0	0	0	2	0	64	3
Zulia	2018	Venezuelan Primera División	28	1	6[b]	0	0	0	0	0	34	1
	2019		33	1	3[b]	0	8[c]	0	0	0	44	1
	Total		61	2	9	0	8	0	0	0	78	2
Philadelphia Union	2020	MLS	14	0	0	0	0	0	4[d]	0	18	0
	2021		27	0	0	0	5[e]	0	1	0	33	0
	2022		33	0	1	0	0	0	—		34	0
	2023		27	3	0	0	5[e]	0	7[f]	0	39	3
	2024		14	0	0	0	4[e]	0	0	0	18	0
	Total		115	3	1	0	14	0	12	0	142	3
Corinthians	2024	Série A	8	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	15	0
	Total		8	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	15	0
Career total			244	8	15	0	26	0	14	0	299	8

Notes

1. Appearances in the Venezuelan Primera División Relegation playoffs
2. Appearances in the Copa Venezuela
3. Appearances in the Copa Sudamericana
4. Appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament
5. Appearances in the CONCACAF Champions Cup
6. Appearances in the Leagues Cup

International

As of match played 10 October 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Venezuela	2021	12	0
	2022	8	0
	2023	7	0
	2024	8	0
Total		35	0

Honours

Zulia FC

• Copa Venezuela: 2018^[16]

Philadelphia Union

• Supporters' Shield: 2020^[17]
• MLS Cup runner-up: 2022^[18]

Individaual

• MLS All-Star: 2023^[19]

References

1. "José Andrés Martínez". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
2. "Jose "El Brujo" Martinez | Philadelphia Union Profile". philadelphiaunion.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
3. "Five Fast Facts on Union signee Jose Martinez". philadelphiaunion.com. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
4. Tom Bogert (23 December 2019). "Philadelphia Union acquire defensive midfielder Jose Andres Martinez". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
5. JR (1 December 2017). "Zulia anunció al "Brujo" Martínez". lavinotinto.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
6. Dominic José Bisogno (20 August 2020). "José Andrés Martínez – El Brujo – The Maracucho Identity & The Next Venezuelan To Light Up MLS". worldfootballindex.com. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
7. Jonathan Tannenwald (23 December 2019). "Union sign José Andrés Martínez, Venezuelan defensive midfielder, to start offseason shopping". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
8. Nick Fishman (9 March 2020). "Match report: Los Angeles FC 3-3 Philadelphia Union". The Philly Soccer Page. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
9. Tom Bogert (3 August 2020). "Philadelphia Union midfielder Jose Martinez drawing comparisons to Portland Timbers' Diego Chara". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
10. "Debating who is currently the best defensive midfielder in MLS". MLSsoccer.com. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
11. "Philadelphia Union Sign Midfielder Jose Martinez To New Contract". philadelphiaunion.com. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
12. Tom Bogert (27 January 2021). "Philadelphia Union and midfielder Jose Martinez agree to new contract". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
13. "'El Brujo' Martínez se sumará a la Vinotinto este miércoles en Barranquilla" (in Spanish). El Nacional. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
14. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualifiers - South America - Matches - Bolivia - Venezuela". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020.
15. José Andrés Martínez at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
16. "Philadelphia Union signs Venezuelan defensive midfielder José Andrés Martínez". 23 December 2019.
17. "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
18. Sigal, Jonathan (5 November 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
19. "2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

External links

• José Andrés Martínez at Soccerway.com
• José Andrés Martínez at National-Football-Teams.com
• José Andrés Martínez at FBref.com
• José Andrés Martínez at Major League Soccer