Josef Martinez will no longer play for Inter Miami in 2024, leaving the Herons after just one season, according to head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Martinez did not make the trip to Bank of America Stadium for Miami FC’s 0-1 loss to Charlotte FC in the season finale of Major League Soccer in 2023. Instead, he stayed in Fort Lauderdale. Later, Martino clarified: “it was the most prudent thing” for the forward to stay behind, given his impending exit.
“He has not traveled because it is very difficult for him to continue in the institution [club] for next season,” Martino told reporters at Bank of America Stadium. “We were talking and decided it was the most prudent thing. To travel this last game would be to make him take a totally unnecessary risk.”
Although many were not surprised by the news since Inter Miami extended the contract of rival striker Leonardo Campana, Martino’s announcement merely put a stop to circulating rumours.
Martinez joined for the first time in January 2023 in an unexpected switch from Atlanta United. During his six-year tenure, he scored 103 goals and contributed to 17 others in 144 games. He also won the Golden Boot and MLS MVP awards while leading the Five Stripes to the 2018 MLS Cup.
“Josef is a champion and adding him to our group is exciting for us as we head into the 2023 season. He’s been one of the best players in the league since he first arrived and we believe he’ll make a difference here at Inter Miami,” said Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson at the time. “We’re adding a proven goalscorer with a track record of success in MLS. We’re thrilled to have a player like Josef in our attack.”
The player contributed three goals and two assists in seven games to help Miami win the Leagues Cup in a historic Leagues Cup run. Martinez fell short in the MLS, though. With just seven goals and one assist in 27 games, he is expected to leave with his lowest regular season total to date.
With Campana leading the way, Inter Miami enters the offseason with the possibility of adding any more players during the January primary transfer window.