Josef Martínez will not play with Vinotinto against Ecuador and Peru on dates 5 and 6 South American qualification. The Venezuelan striker was not included in the list of 27 players announced by the coach Fernando Batista this Monday, November 6th.
Let’s remember that Martínez played the last MLS regular season with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami but was left out of the playoffs. In fact, the Creole stopped being part of the club, as the coach of the Florida team announced at the end of October. Gerardo “Tata” Martino.
YOU CAN SEE: These are! Check out the Vinotinto squad for the qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru
The lack of action on the pitches due to the lack of a club may have led to “Bocha” not considering Josef Martínez for the November qualifiers, although there is still no official confirmation of the reasons for this decision .
Josef Martínez played the 2023 MLS season with Inter Miami. Photo: USA Today
Another possible reason for the non-call-up of Messi’s former teammate would be the low numbers he has recently shown with Vinotinto: in the three games he played for the 2026 qualification, he did not score any goals or assists. His last goal with the Venezuelan team came on March 24 in a friendly against Saudi Arabia.
YOU CAN SEE: Venezuela vs. Ecuador: When will Vinotinto play in qualifying?
His season at Inter Miami didn’t have any outstanding numbers either: in 40 games for MLS, Leagues Cup and US Open Cup, Martínez only scored 12 goals and 3 assists. However, fans always highlighted the good partnership he formed with “Lio” in the Herons attack.