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Passport Hold Keeps Corinthians Midfielder José Martínez in Venezuela as Preseason Opens

The club says a new passport could take up to six months, leaving his early‑season eligibility for international fixtures uncertain.

Overview

  • Corinthians confirmed Martínez did not report on Jan. 3 and remains in Venezuela due to a passport reissuance process initiated late last year.
  • The front office has engaged Venezuelan diplomatic channels, but the estimated timeline for the new document is as long as six months.
  • Without a valid passport, the midfielder would lack the legal conditions to appear in international competitions in the first half of 2026.
  • Martínez traveled home during the holidays to try to speed up the paperwork and must stay in the country until the procedure is completed.
  • Dorival Júnior reshaped preseason plans and internal rotation for the midfield, while regional airspace instability and some airline cancellations add travel uncertainty.