Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has revealed Josef Martinez will not form part of the team in 2024, seeing him depart the Herons after just one season.
Martinez failed to travel with the team for the final match of the 2023 Major League Soccer campaign, staying in Fort Lauderdale as Miami fell 0-1 to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. Martino later explained "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."
Though the news did not come as a shock to many after Inter Miami signed competing striker Leonardo Campana to a contract extension, Martino's confirmation simply put an end to swirling rumors.
Martinez first joined in January, ahead of the 2023 campaign in a shocking move from Atlanta United. He arrived with 103 goals and 17 assists in 144 games throughout a six-year run, where he led the Five Stripes to the 2018 MLS Cup while earning the MLS MVP and Golden Boot.
"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 made an impact in Miami's historic Leagues Cup run, contributing three goals and two assists in seven matches to lift the cup. But in MLS, Martinez disappointed. He is set to depart with just seven goals and one assist in 27 appearances, his lowest output in a regular season to date.
Inter Miami head into the offseason with Campana at the front, and the potential to sign any other players during the Primary Transfer Window in January.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Josef Martinez to leave Inter Miami after 2023 MLS campaign.
