Josef Martínez might just be on his way out of CF Montreal. And this isn’t some wild speculation; there’s a LOT of talk that he won’t be back in a Montreal kit come 2025. Martínez’s contract with the Canadian club wraps up at the end of 2024, and while there’s an option to extend it another year, it doesn’t seem likely that’ll happen. Honestly, it’s easy to see why.
Josef isn’t exactly the unstoppable force we saw tearing up defenses and bagging goal after goal with Atlanta United. Father Time’s catching up, his body isn’t what it used to be, and, yeah, that matters. Re-signing him would be betting on a player who might not deliver the returns the club’s hoping for.
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Montreal isn’t swimming in cash right now either. Like most MLS clubs, they’ve got to be smart with their spending. Is it really worth shelling out a hefty salary for a player whose prime days are in the rearview mirror? That answer could well lie in deciding not to renew his deal. Letting Josef go might just free up room in the budget to bring in fresh talent or invest in areas that’ll actually push the team forward.
What’s interesting here is that, even with the prospect of him leaving, Martínez still holds value. Let’s not pretend otherwise, he was a straight-up goal machine in MLS, and he’s got that experience and respect that can’t be bought. But like any relationship, there’s a time to step back and decide if the partnership still makes sense. For Martínez and CF Montreal, it’s looking like both might be ready to part ways.
Montreal can’t afford to fall behind in MLS. This league is moving fast; teams that don’t keep up get left in the dust. Look at what’s happening with clubs like LAFC and Inter Miami, they’re always bringing in fresh talent, investing in players who’ll make an impact now, not back when.
No doubt, Martínez still believes he’s got some high-level play left in him. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, a fresh challenge to stoke that fire he showed off at Atlanta United. Plenty of players have found success with a new start, and maybe that’s the key for Martínez to keep his career rolling. But the real question: is he ready to step into a supporting role? Realistically, he’s not going to be the main man wherever he lands next. Chances are, he’ll take on a role as the seasoned veteran, the guy who helps guide the younger players. And that’s no easy switch. Going from being the star to a secondary role? It’s a tough adjustment, but it’s one that becomes necessary as age starts to take its toll.