Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez recaps his journey to 100 goals

Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez broke another MLS record Wednesday when he reached 100 goals in fewer games, 125, than anyone in league history.

The historic goal came on a penalty kick in the 78th minute and was the deciding moment in a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After the goal, hit with the right foot into the right corner after Martinez’s run, take short steps, then run again and take short steps approach, he ran to the left of the goal, where he was given a jersey with the No. 100 on the back.

Twitter lit up with messages of congratulations ranging from the simple to “build the statue now” to “The King.”

But the most important message that Martinez has ever received, what has helped motivate him to become one of the best strikers in MLS history, may have come from a coach when Martinez played in Switzerland. After a poor training session, the coach told Martinez to look up and into the stadium’s stands where workers were cleaning. He shared what came next Wednesday after the game.

“‘They work eight hours a day for a low salary, and they do it all with love,’” the coach told Martinez. “‘So for the two hours that you guys are on the field, you have to give your best.’ It’s not the same to just do a job and to do it with love. This is what I like, until the day I don’t feel that love, then I’ll stop playing. And it’s not the same to win as to lose. And I don’t want to lose. That’s what I was taught. If you want something you have to get it, no one is going to give it to you.”

If you doubt Martinez’s sincerity, consider that to play against Miami he has had several injections in his surgically repaired right knee, an injury that occurred in last season’s first game and required two surgeries, in the past week to help the ligaments. Martinez was held out of the team’s previous game against Philadelphia to rest the knee. Because Miami had given up nine goals in its two previous games, there was curiosity if Martinez would be rested again to prepare for Saturday’s game at Montreal.

Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United

Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United

And, unlike some strikers, Martinez didn’t take a play off to protect the knee. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan noted a defensive play Martinez made on a corner kick in the first half to keep Miami off the scoreboard.

“The amount of work he puts in, and I know the struggles he went through with the injury probably more than you guys know,” Guzan said. “To see the ability to come back from that. ... 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.”

Martinez’s goal tally with Atlanta United, which took him on loan from Torino in Italy in 2017 before signing him permanently a few months later, reads: 87 goals in league regular-season games, five in playoff games, five in the Champions League, two in the U.S. Open Cup and one in the Campeones Cup. Of his 92 goals in MLS games, 35 were scored with his right foot, 22 with his left foot, 17 with his head and 18 from penalty kicks (all with his right foot).

Wednesday’s penalty kick almost was given to a teammate by Martinez because he said he felt more pressure than he has felt on any other day. He said he just tried to breathe and simply take it.

But, of course, he scored. He’s missed only four with Atlanta United. Wednesday’s was his team-leading 10th goal this season.

After the game, Martinez gave his jersey to former teammate Brek Shea, who now plays for Miami, because he texted him before the game. Martinez then gave a speech in the locker room to this teammates. He didn’t say if he spoke in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian, which are some of the languages he can speak, having played in countries where those languages are spoken. He said he thanked everyone who works for Atlanta United, as well as the recently deceased doctor who repaired the torn ACL in his knee, to help him reach one of the most important days of his life.

Martinez at times became emotional, having to stop to compose himself during the interview, as he talked about his love of the sport, the city and what’s next.

“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 colors and that’s what makes it the most important,” he said.

“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.”

For more content about Atlanta United

Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now

On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson

Atlanta United coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For more content about Atlanta United

Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now

On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson

Atlanta United coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta United’s 2021 MLS schedule

April 17 Atlanta United 0, Orlando 0