David Emmanuel Martínez Morales (born 7 February 2006) is a Venezuelan footballer who plays as a forward for Danish Superliga club Midtjylland and the Venezuela national team.
Early life Martínez was born in El Tigre in the state of Anzoátegui, but was raised in San José de Guanipa, also in Anzoátegui, but closer to the state of Monagas.
Club career Martínez featured for Tigre in a youth tournament in Puerto Ordaz, where he played against the 2005 category of professional side Monagas, despite being a year younger. These performances caught the eye of the Venezuelan Football Federation's technical director of development, Daniel Cesca, and contact was made with Tigre in 2017, with Martínez beginning to train with Monagas two times a week, while officially representing Tigre. He went on to join Monagas permanently the following year.
Having progressed through Monagas' academy, Martínez made his league debut in the 2022 season, coming on as a second-half substitute for Edgar Carrión in a 3–1 win against Mineros de Guayana. In only his fifth game for the club, he scored a long-range effort in a 2–0 win against Zulia.
On 11 October 2023, Martínez was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide. On 1 February 2024, Martínez joined Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.
On 1 September 2026, he joined FC Midtjylland in 3F Superliga. The transfer fee was reportedly €7.3 million, a record fee in the Danish Superliga.
International career In January 2023, he was called up to the Venezuela under-20 squad for the 2023 South American U-20 Championship, where Venezuela finished fifth.
Martínez was called up to captain the Venezuela under-17 squad at the 2023 South American U-17 Championship. He starred at the competition, scoring in Venezuela's first three games, before going on to score in a 2–0 win against Paraguay in the final phase to send Venezuela to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. For his performances, he was lauded as Venezuela's star player at the tournament. Martinez has also played for the Venezuela under-23 football team.
He was called up to the Venezuela senior squad for the first time in April 2022.
Personal life Martínez' brother, Estéban, is also a professional footballer, and currently plays as a defender for Monagas.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMonagas2022Liga FUTVE2640020—2842023810031—112Total3450051—396Los Angeles FC2024MLS17411—702552025293—50604032026186—84302910Total6413111341609418FC Midtjylland2026–27Danish Superliga2010000—30Career total100182118516013624
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsVenezuela202310202530202630Total70
Honours Venezuela FIFA Series runner-up: 2026
Individual CONCACAF Champions Cup Best Young Player: 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Best XI: 2026
References
External links