Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez, one of Major League Soccer's top attractions and most prolific scorers, tore his ACL during Saturday's season opener against Nashville SC.
"Martinez will undergo surgery on a date to be determined to begin the rehabilitation process," Atlanta said in a statement Sunday.
It's unclear how much time Martinez will miss. Atlanta didn't say whether Martinez partially or fully tore his ACL. However, it usually takes several months to recover from serious cruciate ligament injuries, putting his season in doubt.
The 26-year-old appeared to injure himself while tussling for possession in the 63rd minute. He pointed immediately to his right knee and stayed on the pitch for treatment. Martinez tried to play through the pain but motioned for a substitution minutes later. Medical staff carried the Venezuelan off the pitch on a stretcher.
Martinez tried to walk on his own accord when he returned to the sidelines. He was pictured wearing an air cast as he left Nashville's Nissan Stadium.
Josef Martinez wincing as he uses a crutch to walk out of the #ATLUTD locker room with an air cast on his right leg. pic.twitter.com/6TfDwAhJSo
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) March 1, 2020
Atlanta now faces a significant shortage at the striker position. Adam Jahn, who played in the USL Championship last season with Phoenix Rising, is the team's only other forward.
Martinez has bagged 77 goals in 84 league appearances with Atlanta. He scored in 15 consecutive games last season, setting an MLS record.
