Gonzalo Nicolás Martínez, commonly known as Pity Martínez (born 13 June 1993), is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Argentine Primera División club River Plate.
Club career
Huracán
Martínez, who trained in the Huracán youth system, debuted with Huracán's first team in the 2011–12 season. While at the club, he won his first Copa Argentina in 2014.
River Plate
Martínez joined River Plate in January 2015. Martínez made his club debut on 16 February 2015 against Club Atlético Sarmiento in a 1–4 away win. On 25 April 2015, his former team Huracán beat River Plate for the Supercopa Argentina title. In the Copa Libertadores, Martínez played in the quarter-final first leg match against Boca Juniors, a match River Plate would go on to win. Martínez won two more Copas Argentinas in a row, in 2016 and 2017. Martínez added two Recopa Sudamericanas, in 2015 and 2016. Martínez also won two Copas Libertadores, in 2015 and 2018, as well as one Suruga Bank Championship in 2015, in which he scored in River's 3–0 win over Gamba Osaka. He was instrumental in obtaining his first Supercopa Argentina title against Boca in 2017.
On 9 December 2018, Martínez scored his side's third goal to seal a 3–1 win, 5–3 aggregate victory, over Boca Juniors in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores held at Real Madrid's Bernabéu Stadium. Following the victory, he announced that he would be joining MLS side Atlanta United after the FIFA Club World Cup, as the club had met his $17 million release clause.
Atlanta United
On 24 January 2019, Martínez's transfer to Major League Soccer side Atlanta United was confirmed. On 12 May 2019, Martínez scored his first goal for Atlanta United during a 1–0 victory against Orlando City. He scored the game winner in the U.S. Open Cup final victory over Minnesota United on 27 August.
Al-Nassr
On 7 September 2020, Martínez joined Saudi Professional League side Al-Nassr for a reported transfer fee of $18 million.
Return to River Plate
On August 24, 2023, River Plate announced that it had re-signed Martinez.
International career
On 8 September 2018, Martínez made his Argentina national team debut in a 3–0 victory over Guatemala. He started the match, scored from the penalty spot after a handball by Elías Vásquez midway through the first half, and was replaced by Franco Vázquez in the 56th minute.
Career statistics
Club
International
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first.
Personal life
His nickname, Pity, refers to the wren ("pititorra"), from his native homeland of Guaymallén, in Mendoza, Argentina. He was given the nickname at the age of five, and does not respond to his given name, Gonzalo.
Honours
Huracán
Copa Argentina: 2013–14
River Plate
Copa Argentina: 2015–16, 2016–17
Supercopa Argentina: 2017
Copa Libertadores: 2015, 2018
Recopa Sudamericana: 2015, 2016
Suruga Bank Championship: 2015
Atlanta United
U.S. Open Cup: 2019
Campeones Cup: 2019
Al-Nassr
Saudi Super Cup: 2020
Individual
South American Footballer of the Year: 2018
Copa Libertadores Best Player: 2018
Footballer of the Year of Argentina: 2018
MLS All-Star: 2019
References
1993 births
Living people
Footballers from Mendoza Province
Argentine people of indigenous peoples descent
Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Argentine men's footballers
Argentina men's international footballers
Men's association football midfielders
Argentine Primera División players
Major League Soccer players
Saudi Pro League players
Club Atlético Huracán footballers
Club Atlético River Plate footballers
Copa Libertadores-winning players
Atlanta United FC players
Al Nassr FC players
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia
Designated Players (MLS)