Josef Martinez Signs! Here's What He Had To Say | The Heron Outlet

After days of speculation, Josef Martinez arrived in South Florida with much fanfare.

photo courtesy: Inter Miami CF

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Inter Miami’s latest high-profile signing has officially been unveiled.

After days of speculation, La RosaNegra was pleased to acquire the services of former MLS MVP Josef Martinez.

Inter Miami CF @InterMiamiCF

Háblame Miami 👊 @JosefMartinez17

Speaking to the media on Monday, January 18th, Martinez touched on many things, including his love for Doral, his time in Atlanta, and what he hopes to achieve with Inter Miami.

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The Crown Hasn’t Tipped

Josef Martinez has something to prove.

Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Martinez on his time in Atlanta: "It's over. They have a special side in my heart. They mean a lot to me. I'm so grateful to them." But he says, now, he's here in Miami and he wants to succeed here. #InterMiamiCF

Talking with the media, you get the sense that while it pained the Venezuelan to leave Atlanta, he seemed pretty excited to get started with Inter Miami.

“It's a new year [I] just want to win. I just want to score and score. If we want to win, we have to improve."

Coming off a gnarly ACL injury in early 2020, Martinez hasn’t entirely lived up to the Josef of old. However, if Monday’s conference was any indication, then his fire and drive to succeed is just as hot as it was years ago:

Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Martinez on his first day at IMCF: "I'm very excited to be here. Excited to start." Said he comes here hungry to score and win. #InterMiamiCF

This should bode well for a Miami team looking to finish within the top 4 of the Eastern Conference this year. Boasting an attack that includes the likes of Leonardo Campana, Robert Taylor, and Nicolas Stefanelli, Phil Neville will have plenty of options for his forward line.

Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Martinez on Neville: "I had a conversation with him when I was back in Atlanta. He joked that he wanted me to go to Miami. I said, one day!" Said he has good memories with Atlanta, but all things come to an end. #InterMiamiCF

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Bienvenido A Miami

Another big talking point from the conference is Martinez’s love for South Florida - specifically, Doral.

Doral has a high Venezuelan population, and it’s natural for Josef to feel very much at home there:

Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Josef says he lovesssss being in Doral (high Venezuelan population.) Said he's been there for the last few months. Just welcomed his son into the world a few months ago as well. #InterMiamiCF

Inter Miami also rolled out the pink carpet for the 29-year-old, promoting pink arepas to celebrate his signing:

Inter Miami CF @InterMiamiCF

Calling all Miami locals! 🇻🇪🫓 Get your “El Rey Pepiado” arepa today at Pepito’s Arepa Bar Doral and Pepito’s Plaza Brickell on us, as we welcome our newest signing @JosefMartinez17! 117 free limited-edition pink arepas available for today only, hurry to your nearest Pepito's!

Try to get them while they’re still warm!

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Ready For 2023

Lastly, Martinez spoke about the goals he wanted to achieve during his time in South Florida, saying:

“I'm excited, the most important thing is that we want to win. We want to be better than last year."

“We want to be better than last year” will be the most significant talking point in 2023.

Throughout pre-season, several players and Neville himself spoke about wanting to improve and win silverware:

Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Neville said they're looking to win the US Open or Leagues Cup to get into the CONCACAF Champions League. #InterMiamiCF

Martinez is a player that can help Miami get to that level.

With a chip on his shoulder, a new club, and extra motivation to do well, if Neville and his coaching staff can get Josef in the positions to succeed, IMCF will have an easier time reaching their goals.

The sky is the limit.