Jose ‘El Brujo’ Martinez He is the current Venezuelan player. While it’s true that the great goal he scored in the 2-2 MLS draw with Orlando City made him a worldwide trend, the truth is that the Vinotinto central midfielder had a very good season at the Philadelphia Union has played . Martínez’s case is one of improvement and effort that allowed him to leap from his country’s top division to the United States. And above all to be able to fulfill the dream of representing Venezuela.
In fact, in 2021, at the age of 26, José Martínez just made his debut for the national team. José Peseiro made his debut in the qualifying rounds against Bolivia and took him to the Copa America, which he has never left since. However, “El Brujo” never played for any of Venezuela’s U17 or U20 teams. Starting humble in his neighborhood at the age of 7, much later he made a name for himself locally and internationally, even making his mark in Peru.
Who is Jose “El Brujo” Martinez?
José Andrés Martínez Torres was born on August 7, 1994 in Maracaibo, the capital of Zulia, Venezuela. He’s been known as “El Brujo” since childhood, but in an interview with Al Día, he said he had no idea where the nickname came from. He also revealed that he always knew that studying wasn’t his thing and that his focus was on playing football. His mother’s support for his calling was key to realizing his goals.
“El Bujo” Martínez was trained in the lower divisions of Zulia but made his professional debut on January 31, 2016 at Deportivo JBL del Zulia in a 2-1 loss to Ureña SC. He was the undisputed starter from that first game and remained so through the following season. In 2018 he returned to the club from which he emerged and had no trouble establishing himself quickly. It is an off-road branded steering wheel with a lot of trading.
José “El Brujo” Martínez was the undisputed starter in his two seasons with Deportivo JBL del Zulia. Photo: JBL del Zulia
The 2019 season was crucial for José Martínez. Last year they won the Copa Venezuela, but this time they surprised everyone with Zulia and her remarkable performance at the Copa Sudamericana, where the team reached the quarter-finals. “El Brujo” has been consistent throughout his seasons as a pro and this was the last to make the big leap up into MLS to play for the Philadelphia Union in 2020. The club recently extended his contract until 2025.
José “El Brujo Martínez” and the time he eliminated Sporting Cristal
Few remember him, but two years before he became the most outstanding Venezuelan in MLS and a key player in the Venezuelan team, José Martínez said he had a presence on Peruvian soil. On 31 July 2019, Sporting hosted Cristal Zulia for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. Claudio Vivas’ team finished third in the Copa Libertadores group, thereby securing the right to move into the other international tournament.
José “El Brujo” Martínez tagging Gerald Távara in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana. Photo: GLR archives
José ‘El Brujo’ Martínez was the starting XI for Zulia’s central midfielder in both key games. With a correct performance, his team lost 3-2 in Matute, but was able to qualify for the quarter-finals thanks to the visitor’s goal (they won 1-0 in the first leg). It was one of the numerous challenges the Venezuelan had to overcome before becoming known outside his country. So far he has won a title with Philadelphia (Supporters’ Shield 2020) and hopes to lead his team to a World Championship.
For which teams did José Martínez play?
- Sporty JBL from Zulia
- Zulia
- Philadelphia Union (United States)