Atlanta United's Josef Martinez releases video of rehab with soccer ball after ACL tear

Josef is kicking a soccer ball (very gently) again!

Josef Martinez - Atlanta United - Finger point

Josef Martinez won't join Atlanta United at the MLS is Back Tournament next month as he rehabs from a torn ACL, but he's working hard to return as soon as possible.


On Friday, he Tweeted a glimpse of his rehab, lightly toe-tapping a soccer ball with the injured right leg against a wall. We think that's a track from Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, on in the background.

Martinez was expected to miss up to six-plus months after his surgery in March. Depending on when MLS resumes after the tournament, he could return to help Atlanta down the regular season's final stretch.


The 27-year-old Venezuelan international scored 77 goals across his first three MLS seasons, the most productive three-season stretch in league history, helping Atlanta win MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup tiles in the process. His 31-goal campaign in 2018 was an MLS record before LAFC's Carlos Vela scored 34 the following season.