Ex-Corinthians Midfielder José Martínez Lashes Out at Dorival Júnior Following Dismissal
The departure of Dorival Júnior from Corinthians has ignited a public feud, as former midfielder José Martínez took to social media to accuse the dismissed manager of orchestrating his exit from the club earlier this year.
Following the announcement of Júnior’s dismissal on Sunday night, April 5, Martínez posted a pointed message alongside a photo from his tenure with the Alvinegro. “I left the team because of you, now you’ll pay the bill,” the Venezuelan international wrote. “God in command. Soon they’ll grasp the truth.”
The outburst adds a layer of personal volatility to a period of sporting crisis for the São Paulo-based club. Dorival Júnior was relieved of his duties hours after Corinthians suffered a 1-0 defeat to Internacional at the Neo Química Arena in a Brasileirão fixture. The loss capped a dismal run for the team, which has now gone nine consecutive matches without a victory.
A Fractured Relationship: The February Fallout
To understand the bitterness behind José Martínez’s comments, one must look back to February 2026, when the midfielder’s relationship with the club collapsed. Records indicate that Martínez returned from his offseason break with a significant delay, reporting back to the team more than a month late.
The player cited complications regarding the issuance of a new passport while in Venezuela as the reason for the 35-day delay. However, the situation worsened upon his arrival in Brazil. During medical evaluations, it was discovered that Martínez had suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
The combination of the reporting delay and the severity of the injury created an unsustainable environment between the player and the club’s leadership. Shortly after the injury was confirmed, Corinthians moved to rescind Martínez’s contract. While the club handled the administrative side of the split, Martínez now claims that Dorival Júnior played a direct role in the decision to cut ties.
During his time with the Timão, Martínez was a consistent presence in the squad, making 70 appearances before the February rescission.
The Breaking Point for Dorival Júnior
The dismissal of Dorival Júnior was not an isolated event but the result of a steady decline in on-field performance. The 1-0 loss to Internacional served as the final straw for the board. In the aftermath of the firing, Marcelo Paz noted that the manager had “hit the ceiling,” suggesting that the tactical approach had reached its limit and could no longer produce the necessary results to climb the table.
For a global audience, the “ceiling” comment often refers to a manager’s inability to evolve their system to overcome specific opposition or a plateau in player development. For Corinthians, this plateau manifested as a winless streak that has left the club vulnerable as they balance domestic duties with continental competition.
What Lies Ahead for Corinthians
With the managerial seat currently vacant and a replacement yet to be defined, Corinthians faces a grueling schedule that will test the squad’s resolve and the new leadership’s ability to stabilize the locker room. The club must navigate both the Brasileirão and the CONMEBOL Libertadores in the coming weeks.
The immediate priority is a trip to face Platense on April 9 at 21:00 Brasília time (UTC-3) in Libertadores action. This will be followed by a high-stakes home clash against rivals Palmeiras on April 12 at 18:30 Brasília time, and another Libertadores encounter against Santa Fe on April 15 at 21:30 Brasília time.
The club’s ability to move past the drama surrounding Dorival Júnior and the lingering resentment from former players like Martínez will be critical if they hope to snap their winless run and secure a positive result in the upcoming Derby Paulista.
Key Timeline of Events
- February 2026: José Martínez returns 35 days late from Venezuela; ACL injury discovered; contract rescinded.
- April 5, 2026: Corinthians lose 1-0 to Internacional; Dorival Júnior is dismissed.
- April 6, 2026: José Martínez publishes social media post accusing Júnior of causing his exit.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the club is the CONMEBOL Libertadores match against Platense on April 9. Whether the club announces a new manager before this fixture remains to be seen.
Do you think the board acted too late in dismissing Dorival Júnior, or was the winless streak an inevitable result of the squad’s current form? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
