Alonso Martínez Bio
Adrián Alonso Martínez Batista (born 15 October 1998) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Major League Soccer club New York City FC and the Costa Rica national team. Standing 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) tall, he wears the number 16 shirt for the Major League Soccer club and is recognized for his attacking instincts along the front line. After beginning his senior career in his home country, he developed through Costa Rican football before moving abroad and eventually establishing himself in the United States top flight.
Martínez first rose to wider attention after a rapid rise through the Costa Rican top division, followed by a spell in Belgian football with Lommel. His move to New York City FC in 2023 marked a new chapter, and a positional change under head coach Nick Cushing transformed him into a prolific goalscorer during the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign.
Early Life and Background
Adrián Alonso Martínez Batista was born on 15 October 1998 in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The Pacific port city has long been associated with local football, and Martínez grew up around the sport that shapes everyday life in his hometown. He has credited his early surroundings with shaping his drive to pursue a professional path in the game.
From a young age, Martínez developed his attacking skills in local youth setups before entering the professional ranks. He signed his first senior contract with his hometown side, Puntarenas, in 2015, becoming part of the club’s first-team setup at just 16 years old. The move gave him a steady introduction to senior football.
His time at Puntarenas was brief, but it offered the platform he needed to secure a transfer to one of Costa Rica’s most established clubs. The experience of representing his home city stayed with him as he continued his development at a higher level of competition.
Path to Soccer
Martínez’s path to senior professional soccer began in 2015 with Puntarenas, where he earned his first appearances in Costa Rica’s top division. After a single season, he was identified by Alajuelense, one of the country’s most decorated clubs, and moved there in 2016. The transfer marked his first step into a title-contending environment.
To accumulate regular playing time, Martínez was sent out on loan to lower-division side COFUTPA from 2017 to 2018. He later joined Guadalupe on loan from 2018 to 2020, where consistent minutes helped sharpen his attacking play and positional awareness. These loan spells were crucial in transforming him from a promising teenager into a more complete senior player.
After returning to Alajuelense for the early part of 2021, Martínez earned his first senior call-up to the Costa Rica national team in May 2021 for the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. He made his debut on 3 June 2021 in a semi-final against Mexico. He had previously represented the Costa Rica U-23 side, debuting on 18 March 2021 in a 1–0 defeat to the United States U-23 during 2020 Summer Olympics qualifying.
Alonso Martínez Career
Early Career (2015–2020)
Martínez opened his senior career at Puntarenas in 2015, before transferring to Alajuelense the following year. Although first-team opportunities at Alajuelense were limited, his two loan spells at COFUTPA and then Guadalupe provided valuable experience and consistency. By the end of his time at Guadalupe in 2020, he had grown into a more mature and physically prepared attacker ready for a higher level of competition.
The strong form he displayed on loan eventually convinced Alajuelense to reintegrate him into the senior squad ahead of the 2021 campaign. The brief return allowed him to showcase his development before a permanent move abroad materialized.
Alajuelense Breakthrough (2016–2021)
Although Martínez’s most productive senior years would come later, his time at Alajuelense served as his professional foundation. He trained alongside experienced national-team players and absorbed the expectations that come with one of Costa Rica’s biggest clubs. The loan spells at COFUTPA and Guadalupe, while technically away from Alajuelense, kept him within the club’s development pathway.
His recall to the Alajuelense senior squad ahead of the 2021 season coincided with his breakthrough at international level. That same year, he was called up by Costa Rica for the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, marking his emergence as a recognized senior international.
Lommel Era (2021–2023)
On 18 August 2021, Martínez joined Belgian First Division B club Lommel on a five-year deal, returning to Alajuelense on loan until the end of the year. The move represented his first step into European professional football, exposing him to a different tactical environment and a higher training tempo. He spent the following seasons developing his game in Belgium as a regular contributor in the second tier.
Although Lommel did not achieve promotion during his tenure, the experience refined Martínez’s off-ball movement and finishing. By the summer of 2023, he was ready for a new challenge in a more prominent league.
New York City FC Era (2023–Present)
On 4 August 2023, it was announced that Martínez had signed with Major League Soccer club New York City FC. The transfer marked his arrival in the United States top flight and gave him the platform to showcase his attacking qualities on a larger stage. His first season, however, was one of adjustment as he adapted to a new league and a new country.
The 2024 campaign proved transformational. On 31 May 2024, Martínez came on as a substitute and scored a 10-minute hat-trick in a 5–1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, instantly announcing his threat as a finisher. Despite playing as a winger for most of his career, New York City FC coach Nick Cushing deployed him as a striker, and the positional switch unlocked his best form. He finished the 2024 Major League Soccer season with a career-high 16 goals and helped guide New York City FC into the playoffs after the club missed out in 2023.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martínez’s 10-minute hat-trick against the San Jose Earthquakes on 31 May 2024 stands as his signature Major League Soccer moment and a defining performance of his New York City FC career. Reaching a career-high 16 goals in the 2024 season, combined with guiding the club back to the playoffs, marks the clearest sign of his growing influence on the team.
Alonso Martínez Career Wins
Alonso Martínez’s most celebrated statistical milestone to date is his career-high 16 goals during the 2024 Major League Soccer season with New York City FC. His earlier trophy success is tied to his time at Alajuelense, where he featured in a competitive squad during Costa Rican top-flight football. His hat-trick against the San Jose Earthquakes remains his single most iconic performance since arriving in Major League Soccer.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Martínez opened his New York City FC account after joining in August 2023, but it was the 2024 season that produced his breakthrough. His 16-goal return, combined with a hat-trick against the San Jose Earthquakes, established him as one of the club’s most reliable attacking outlets. He also helped New York City FC return to the Major League Soccer playoffs after missing out in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his Major League Soccer breakthrough, Martínez contributed regularly to Alajuelense and represented Costa Rica at senior international level. He was part of the Costa Rica squad that reached the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals and earned caps for the senior side starting in June 2021.
Alonso Martínez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Martínez’s family background remain limited. He was born and raised in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a city closely tied to local football, and his earliest professional opportunities came from clubs within the country’s domestic system.
Personal Life
Martínez keeps much of his personal life private, and detailed information about his marital status, children, or residence is not publicly confirmed. He maintains a presence on social media through his official Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Alonso Martínez enters 2025 as one of New York City FC’s most important attacking pieces after his 16-goal 2024 Major League Soccer campaign. His positional shift to striker under Nick Cushing is expected to remain central to the club’s tactical approach, and he will be relied upon as a consistent goalscoring outlet. His hat-trick against the San Jose Earthquakes highlighted the kind of form he can produce in bursts, and the club will look for more of the same in the new year.
Building on a playoff return in 2024, Martínez and New York City FC will target a deeper postseason run in 2025. Continued development of his partnership with teammates in the final third, combined with the familiarity of a full preseason in the striker role, positions him as a focal point of the team’s ambitions.
Internationally, Martínez remains available for selection by Costa Rica, where his Major League Soccer form strengthens his case for further call-ups. With momentum on his side, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to consolidate his place among the top Costa Rican attackers playing abroad.