David Martínez (footballer, born 2006)

David Enmanuel Martínez Morales (born 7 February 2006) is a Venezuelan footballer who plays as a forward for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.

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, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.

On 1 February 2024, he joined Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.

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.