Corinthians move to part with Martínez, in talks over amicable exit after delay and injury | OneFootball

José Martínez will not play again for Corinthians, with the club negotiating a mutual termination after his late return and a knee injury.

According to Globo.com, directors met legal and financial departments on Tuesday, then sat down with Martínez’s representatives on Wednesday to open talks over an agreed exit.

The board had weighed dismissal for just cause but concluded there was no legal basis, so pursued a negotiated departure.

After a long absence, the club do not know when his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament ruptured. Tests on Monday found the injury after he reported back on Saturday. They are certain he was not hurt in his last game on 21 December 2025, the Copa do Brasil final second leg against Vasco.

While on holiday in Venezuela, Martínez played in a festive match on 26 December, and one image showed a support on his left knee. He had also posted December clips of individual training on social media.

He arrived in São Paulo 35 days late after applying for a new passport because his old one had no blank pages for stamps. At CT Joaquim Grava he immediately reported knee pain, further frustrating club officials and coaches.

The diagnosis has not yet been confirmed by the club and ended any prospect of him staying. Martínez is under contract until 31 December 2027, having joined from Philadelphia Union in August 2024 for two million dollars, about R$ 10.9 million then. He played 70 matches, with two goals and two assists.

Source: Globo.com