SANDY, Utah – Juan Manuel Martinez always wanted to move to Major League Soccer, it was just a matter of when and where.
The timing – after he mutually parted ways with Argentine giant Boca Juniors – and location – with Real Salt Lake the perfect setting for himself and family – all lined up perfectly for Martinez, who met with local media on Monday morning at Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time since signing a Designated Player contract earlier this montht.
“After I ended my contract with Boca, I was a little anxious,” Martinez said at his unveiling. “But I had many options. I’m happy with this decision because I always wanted to play here in this country, in this league and I didn’t know in what year, in this moment or before, but I’m happy to be here.
“The league is growing up very fast, and I want to play here. It was an easy decision to make.”
The man they call “Burrito” has played the majority of his soccer career in Argentina. He made stops in both Colombia and Brazil, but it was in his home country where he logged the most minutes, opting to play close to home to have a better chance to make the Argentine national team.
Martinez picked up four total caps in 2011 and 2012, scoring one goal for La Albiceleste. In his first call-up, Martinez drew a penalty kick that was converted from the spot by none other than Lionel Messi.
Playing with the international superstar was clearly a highlight of Martinez’s career.
“It was wonderful," he said. "I played qualifiers with Argentina from the last World Cup, so I had a little chance to play in the World Cup, so that's why I stayed at Boca Juniors.”
When he went about searching for a new club, Martinez – who has a wife and two children – admitted to being attracted to a smaller city lifestyle. Fellow countrymen and new teammates Javier Morales and Sebastian Jaime, who Martinez played against in the Copa Libertadores, have been instrumental in acclimating their fellow Argentine to Salt Lake City and the franchise.
“I don’t know about New York or LA, but I prefer a small city.” Martinez said. “Everything near for me and my family also. I have kids. Also this city is very secure, so this is wonderful for me.”
Martinez was a surprise inclusion in the game-day roster in Saturday’s match against the Seattle Sounders, considering he arrived in Salt Lake just 36 hours before kickoff. But with RSL holding a 2-0 lead late in the game, head coach Jeff Cassar erred on the side of caution and opted to delay the winger’s home debut a little longer.
RSL technical director Craig Waibel expressed just how great it felt to see Martinez don the team’s signature Claret-and-Cobalt.
“It’s a long process to go through to get the deal done, get him here and then actually see him in a jersey on Saturday was nice,” Waibel said. “It was the end of one process and the beginning of another, assimilating him in and getting him on the field is going to be a huge thing for us, in terms of the quality and depth of our roster.”
When asked how soon he would be match fit, Martinez didn’t hesitate: “As fast as possible.”
