Josef Martínez Faces New Chapter as MLS Free Agency Looms
Sometimes, a single player shapes the story of a club’s season—and Josef Martínez did just that for CF Montréal in 2024. But even after finding the net 14 times and helping push Montréal deep into a playoff race, the 31-year-old forward is on the move again. His time in Canada will end after the club decided not to pick up his contract option for 2025, sending Josef Martínez straight into the free agency pool this December.
This isn’t Martínez’s first time facing a crossroads. Back in 2020 and 2021, many doubted he would ever return to form following devastating ACL and knee injuries. But the Venezuelan striker—once the MLS MVP and winner of the 2018 Golden Boot—showed the same grit that made him famous at Atlanta United, quickly earning a crucial role in Montréal's attack. During the 2024 campaign, he started 26 games, knocked in 14 goals, and chipped in three assists. Those numbers alone tell a story, but the big moments—like his brace against old club Atlanta United during the playoffs—show why teams still circle his name in the offseason.
CF Montréal spent weeks trying to lock Martínez into a new deal, hoping to keep his veteran presence around a squad hungry for playoff success. In the end, though, both sides couldn’t reach an agreement, and the team announced they’d let him test the free agent waters. The club’s move surprised plenty of fans, but it reflects the economic reality facing MLS teams juggling salaries and squad depth with the league’s strict roster rules.
A New Role Awaits a Former Star
Martínez isn’t quite the unstoppable force that bulldozed through MLS defenses back in 2018, when he led Atlanta United to its first title and scored in the championship final. But he’s proven he still has a nose for goal—and his 116-career MLS regular season goals place him sixth all-time, above plenty of stars who’ve spent years in the league. That reputation and his seven playoff goals will likely spark interest from clubs chasing both experience and extra firepower on the bench.
Clubs searching for that perfect mix of proven talent and a hunger to win may see Martínez as the bargain of the offseason. While he’s no longer the clear-cut starter for a new project—those days faded after his knee surgeries—he stands out as a top-quality backup. He understands playoff pressure, knows what it's like to lift trophies, and can mentor a squad’s younger strikers as much as he can still punish defenders in short bursts.
- Martínez is expected to draw interest from several MLS teams in need of depth up top.
- He brings a wealth of playoff experience and a drive that’s tough to teach.
- Despite his age, he finished 2024 among the league's better goalscorers.
When December 12 rolls around, offers will start coming in. Martínez is no stranger to adapting, whether it was changing cities, overcoming major injuries, or shifting from stardom to a support role. Now, with another MLS offseason here and a new team on the horizon, he’ll have the chance to prove—once more—that he still has something left to give.
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