Centre-Forward
Adrián Emmanuel Martínez (born 2 July 1992) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Racing. Club career Born in Campana, Buenos Aires Province, Martínez never represented any clubs during his youth setup (except from a year at Villa Dálmine at the age of 17). He played for hometown amateurs Club Las Acacias (which was presided by his mother) while working as a waste collector and bricklayer; at the former job, he was dismissed from his company after suffering a motorcycle accident. In 2014, after his brother was shot, Martínez was arrested after being accused of burning and robbing the aggressor's home. He spent six months in jail until he could prove his innocence. After leaving prison, he returned to his first club Las Acacias before trialling at Primera C Metropolitana side Defensores Unidos in January 2015, subsequently joining the club but initially playing without receiving wages. In 2017, after scoring 21 goals for Defensores, Martínez joined Primera B Metropolitana side Atlanta. He scored 15 goals during his only season at the club, netting against Primera División side Belgrano and River Plate in the Copa Argentina. On 18 June 2018, Martínez moved abroad and joined Paraguayan Primera División club Sol de América. He was the club's top goalscorer with 12 goals, notably scoring braces against Olimpia (twice) and 3 de Febrero. Libertad On 18 December 2018, Martínez signed for Libertad. The following 13 February, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 Copa Libertadores home rout of The Strongest. Cerro Porteño (loan) On 1 July 2021, it was informed that Martinez would be loaned by Libertad to Cerro Porteño for the second half of the year. The loan deal was announced for one year. Instituto Martínez was transferred to Instituto de Córdoba for the 2023 season after five years outside Argentina. The 16 goals he scored in 39 league matches allowed Instituto to retain their spot in the Primera División for their return to Argentina's top level after 17 seasons. His efficiency made him a target for top clubs and he was eventually signed by Racing. Racing Martínez signed a 3-year contract for Racing in December 2023.
