PANAMA

A combative tackler and effective attacker, Martínez is your typical box-to-box midfielder. He is from El Chorrillo in Panama City, making his debut for the local side as a teenager. His dynamism and stamina earned him a move to Columbus Crew in MLS – where he became the club’s youngest scorer – before joining Cádiz in Spain and having other spells in Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and back in Panama. The 2023 Gold Cup runner-up signed for Kiryat Shmona in Israel last year and was a key part of the successful World Cup qualification campaign. “My childhood dream was to wear the national team’s shirt and put my soul into each game,” he says. Nicknamed “El Fulo” for his tendency to dye his hair bleach blonde.

Murillo made his senior league debut in Panama for San Francisco in 2014 after standing out in a youth trial that included more than 130 players. He grew up in Colón, sharing a room with his mother and siblings but, while baseball was the family’s favourite sport, he chose football and wanted to provide. “My main strength is my mentality, 100%,” he has said. His pace, crossing ability and aerial prowess make him a modern full-back. Murillo’s big break came in MLS with New York Red Bulls, where he was the first player from Panama to feature in an All-Star game and won the 2018 Supporters’ Shield. After spells with Anderlecht and Marseille, he signed for Besiktas in February. A key part of the Panama side that qualified for the 2018 World Cup and performed well at the 2023 Gold Cup, the defender is a national treasure and has never forgotten his roots. “Be proud of your family, fight for your family and believe in your family,” he always says.