# Josep Martínez Biography
Brief Introduction of Josep Martinez
Josep Martínez Riera is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Serie A club Inter Milan and has represented the Spain national team. Known for his agility, reactivity, and skill in one-on-one situations, Martínez is also recognized for his ability to build play from the back, a trait honed during his formative years at Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy. His career has seen him move from the youth ranks of his hometown club Alzira to playing in Spain’s Segunda División, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A. Martínez has steadily built a reputation as a reliable and technically proficient goalkeeper, drawing attention for his strong performances that led to his signing with the Italian giants, Inter Milan, in 2024.
Josep Martinez Overview
| Full Name | Josep Martínez Riera |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1998 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 27 |
| Birthplace | Alzira, Valencia, Spain |
| Profession | Professional Footballer (Goalkeeper) |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Information not disclosed |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be between €12.4M and €15.1M (market value) |
Early Life and Education of Josep Martinez
Josep Martínez Riera was born in Alzira, a town in the province of Valencia, Spain, on May 27, 1998. His passion for football ignited at a very young age, heavily influenced by his father, who was an amateur goalkeeper. By the age of three, young Josep, nicknamed “Pepo,” was rarely seen without a football. His natural instinct was to dive and throw himself on the ground with the ball, a fearless trait that would define his goalkeeping style. He officially began his football journey at the age of five, joining the youth academy of his hometown club, UD Alzira. Growing up in Valencia, he idolized goalkeepers like Santiago Cañizares and Iker Casillas. Martínez spent 12 years at Alzira, developing his fundamental skills. A significant growth spurt at the age of 17 brought him to the attention of scouts from FC Barcelona during a youth tournament. In July 2015, he made the pivotal move to Barcelona’s world-renowned youth academy, La Masia. During his two years there, he was immersed in the club’s philosophy, learning a new style of play that required the goalkeeper to be an active participant in building attacks from the back. This period was crucial in shaping the modern, ball-playing goalkeeper he would become.
Josep Martinez’s Career
After completing his football education at La Masia, Josep Martínez signed for UD Las Palmas on July 19, 2017. He was initially assigned to the reserve team, Las Palmas Atlético, competing in the Segunda División B. He made his senior debut with the reserves on August 20, 2017, and quickly established himself as a starting goalkeeper, playing a key role as the team avoided relegation. His consistent performances did not go unnoticed, and he made his first-team debut for Las Palmas on April 28, 2019, in a 4–1 victory over CD Lugo in the Segunda División. By June of that year, he was permanently promoted to the main squad. His talent attracted international attention, and on January 22, 2020, German club RB Leipzig secured an agreement to sign him, with the transfer taking effect on July 1 of that year on a contract until 2024. While his time in the Bundesliga was a valuable learning experience at a top-tier European club, first-team opportunities were limited.
To secure more playing time, Martínez was loaned to Italian club Genoa in Serie B on June 29, 2022. After initially serving as a backup, he seized his opportunity and became the definitive starting goalkeeper in the second half of the season. He delivered numerous impressive performances, keeping 17 clean sheets in 30 appearances and playing a vital role in Genoa’s promotion to Serie A. Following their successful promotion campaign, Genoa activated the obligation to buy clause, making his transfer permanent on June 9, 2023. Martínez continued as the first-choice goalkeeper in Serie A, further enhancing his reputation. His success in Italy led to a major career move when, on July 9, 2024, he signed a permanent deal with Serie A champions Inter Milan for a reported fee of around €13.5 million. He made his debut for the Nerazzurri on December 19, 2024, keeping a clean sheet in a Coppa Italia match. He later made his Serie A debut for Inter on February 22, 2025, ironically against his former club, Genoa, securing a 1-0 victory.
Internationally, Martínez has also represented his country. Following the isolation of some senior national team players due to a positive COVID-19 test for Sergio Busquets, Spain’s under-21 squad was called up for a friendly against Lithuania on June 8, 2021. Martínez made his senior debut for Spain in that match, coming on as a substitute.
Josep Martinez Personal Life & Family
Josep Martínez maintains a relatively private personal life. Information regarding his family, such as his parents’ names and details about any siblings, is not widely disclosed in the public domain. His father’s role as an amateur goalkeeper is noted as a key inspiration for his career choice. Similarly, details about his romantic life, including whether he has a wife or girlfriend (Josep Martinez gf/bf, Josep Martinez husband/wife), are not publicly known. He appears to be focused on his professional football career. In late October 2025, Martínez was involved in a tragic road accident near Inter’s training ground, which resulted in the death of an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair. Reports indicate that Martínez immediately stopped to provide assistance and was deeply shaken by the event. The club provided him with psychological support and time off to recover from the emotional trauma.
Awards and Achievements of Josep Martinez
- Promotion to Serie A with Genoa C.F.C. (2022–23 season)
- Bronze Medalist at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Spain (2021)
Josep Martinez Net Worth and Income
As a professional footballer for a top European club like Inter Milan, Josep Martínez earns a significant salary, although the exact figures of his current contract have not been made public. His transfer to Inter Milan in 2024 was reportedly valued at approximately €13.5 million plus €2 million in bonuses. His market value, often used as an estimate for a player’s worth, is calculated to be between €12.4 million and €15.1 million as of 2025. The primary source of his income is his club salary, which includes bonuses for performances and team achievements. Endorsement deals and sponsorships may also contribute to his overall net worth (Josep Martinez net worth). Note that public estimations of net worth can vary and are not definitive.
Legacy and Influence
Though still in the prime of his career, Josep Martínez’s journey is a testament to perseverance and adaptation. His development through the esteemed La Masia academy provided him with a modern goalkeeping skillset, emphasizing comfort on the ball and distribution, which is highly valued in contemporary football. His career path, which saw him move from Spain to Germany and then to Italy, showcases his ability to adapt to different footballing cultures and leagues. At Genoa, he was instrumental in their return to Italy’s top flight, leaving a significant mark on the club in a short period. His move to a powerhouse like Inter Milan solidifies his status as a high-caliber goalkeeper. Martínez is part of a new generation of Spanish goalkeepers known for their technical skills as much as their shot-stopping abilities. His public image is that of a dedicated professional. Following the tragic road accident in 2025, his immediate response and the support he received from his club highlighted the human side of the sport.
Interesting Facts about Josep Martinez
- His childhood nickname was “Pepo”.
- As a child, he was also nicknamed “cigarette” because of his instinct to throw himself on the ground to get to the ball.
- He grew up idolizing Spanish goalkeeping legends Santiago Cañizares and Iker Casillas.
- He spent two years in FC Barcelona’s famous youth academy, La Masia, between 2015 and 2017.
- He made his senior debut for the Spanish national team before making his debut in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
- His transfer from Genoa to Inter Milan in 2024 was for a reported fee of €13.5 million.
Controversies
In October 2025, Josep Martínez was involved in a fatal car accident in Fenegrò, near Como, while driving to training. His vehicle collided with an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair, who tragically died at the scene. Preliminary investigations reported by Italian media suggested the victim may have suffered a sudden medical issue, causing him to veer into the path of Martínez’s car. Martínez, who was reported to be driving within the speed limit, stopped immediately to render aid and was described as being in a state of shock but physically unharmed. Authorities conducted routine tests for alcohol and drugs, which returned negative. The incident was treated as a tragedy, with his club, Inter Milan, cancelling a press conference as a sign of respect and providing Martínez with psychological support.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Account deactivated (as of late October 2025)
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not applicable
Final Words about Josep Martinez
Josep Martínez stands as a prominent Spanish goalkeeper who has forged a successful career across several of Europe’s top leagues. His foundation at La Masia endowed him with the technical prowess required of a modern keeper, a skill set he has effectively demonstrated in Spain, Germany, and most notably, Italy. His pivotal role in Genoa’s promotion to Serie A and his subsequent transfer to Inter Milan underscore his quality and upward trajectory in the world of football. Currently serving as a key member of the Inter Milan squad, he is positioned to compete for major honors in both domestic and European competitions. While navigating a challenging personal period following a tragic accident, his professional future remains bright. As he continues to develop and gain experience at one of Italy’s most storied clubs, Josep Martínez is on a path to becoming one of Spain’s top goalkeeping exports and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. The Josep Martinez biography and Josep Martinez wiki show a player with resilience and a high ceiling for future success.
