April 12, 2021
More than a year after tearing his ACL vs. Nashville SC, Josef Martinez is officially back, making his return for Atlanta United as a substitute vs. Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League. Ahead of the 2021 Major League Soccer season, the three-time MLS Best XI selection and 2018 MVP sits down with his longtime friend and former Venezuela national team teammate, ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno, to discuss his recovery and an uncharacteristic 2020 season for the Five Stripes.
0:00 Martinez jokes with Moreno about the latter's catchphrase: "Vamos Venezuela!"
0:31 How is he feeling as he works his way back to full fitness.
1:06 Why he felt tired after a 23-minute run-out as a substitute for Atlanta in Costa Rica.
1:42 The most difficult part of the recovery for Martinez.
2:45 Is it hard for Martinez to trust his body right now?
3:23 Martinez discusses what went wrong for Atlanta under Frank de Boer, and how he was different than Tata Martino.
4:36 Martinez shares his initial thoughts on Atlanta United's new manager, former PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Gabriel Heinze.
#ESPNFC #MLS #AtlantaUnited #JosefMartinez
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By ESPN FC
