Independiente Medellín has confirmed that striker Jackson Martínez will return to the club after nearly six years away from professional competition, with a formal presentation scheduled for this Tuesday ahead of a match against Millonarios at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. The 39-year-old forward, who has signed a contract initially running through December with an option for extension, steps back onto the pitch following a lengthy retirement that began after his departure from Portuguese side Portimonense in July 2020.
The Return of a Club Legend
The club officially announced the acquisition, emphasizing the emotional significance of bringing back a player who left an indelible mark during his initial stint with the team. During his first tenure starting in 2004 and culminating in the second half of 2009, Martínez recorded 171 appearances and scored 56 goals for Independiente Medellín. His 2009 campaign proved particularly historic, as he secured the Colombian League title and claimed the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer with 18 goals.
“Su regreso representa mucho más que la llegada de un jugador,” the club stated through its official channels, noting that it marks the comeback of an iconic reference who shaped the institution’s recent history. Following his success in Colombia, Martínez built a prominent international career that included spells with Jaguares de Chiapas in Mexico, Porto, Atlético de Madrid, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Portimonense, alongside representing the Colombia national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Presentation Details and Match Context
Fans will witness Martínez’s emotional reunion with the supporters at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot at 7:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, just before the opening whistle of the fixture against Millonarios. Independiente Medellín opened ticket sales for the encounter, with prices set at $39.600 for the Norte and Sur stands, $45.100 for Sur Familiar, $70.400 for Oriental General, $104.500 for Occidental General, and $139.700 for VIP seats.
The arrival of Martínez follows persistent physical challenges that previously complicated his attempts to return to competitive play. Chronic issues in his left ankle ultimately led to his 2020 retirement, and a subsequent training stint with Águilas Doradas under coach Leonel Álvarez in 2022 did not result in a contract. Team management, led by head coach Luis Amaranto Perea, evaluated his physical progress closely before finalizing the agreement.
Reuniting With Familiar Faces
Martínez’s comeback also pairs him once again with Juan Fernando Quintero. The two previously shared a locker room at Porto between 2012 and 2015, featuring together in 61 matches with five combined goal involvements. While Quintero has already reintegrated into the DIM squad following his own return to Colombian football, coaching staff will monitor Martínez’s physical conditioning to determine when both players can take the field together.
Independiente Medellín concludes a busy transfer window that began with Perea’s appointment as manager and included the additions of Joaquín Varela, Carlos Lucumí, Agustín Martegani, Juan José Córdoba, Alfonso Simarra, and Quintero. As the team prepares for Tuesday’s match, attention turns to how Martínez handles the physical demands of top-tier competition in the Liga BetPlay.
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