FC Bayern and Javi Martinez are saying ‘goodbye and thank you’ from the bottom of their hearts after nine very successful years together. The club and player have mutually agreed not to extend his contract, which expires on 30 June. The Spaniard joined the German record champions in 2012 and quickly became one of the team’s defining pillars. Martinez’s debut season saw Bayern win the first treble in club history, a feat he then repeated last summer in what became a historic year with six titles. The 32-year-old has won the Bundesliga in every season so far, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup twice each, plus five DFB Cups and four DFL Supercups. At the end of this season, Martinez, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and head coach Hansi Flick will be given a fitting farewell by FC Bayern in recognition of their great achievements for the club.
Javi Martinez: “I’m very proud and happy to have been part of the FC Bayern family for nine years. I’d like to thank this great club and especially our fans – you have made Munich my home! I’ll never forget these nine years. From the very first day, I felt the ‘Mia san mia’ and the special nature of FC Bayern. I lived for this club, always gave everything for it, and am very happy about the many titles we won together. FC Bayern and its fans will forever be in my heart. Muchas gracias, dankeschön, servus – see you again!”
President Herbert Hainer: “Javi Martinez is one of those people who make it clear what FC Bayern stands for. When top international players identify with our club way he does, you can achieve great things. Javi quickly became one of us, and the incredible amount of success we’ve enjoyed with him speaks for itself. Javi Martinez will always have a special place in the history of this club. We wish him all the best for his future.”
CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “It was a difficult decision when we signed Javi Martinez in summer 2012 because the transfer fee of €40 million was a record amount for us at the time. The decision was spot on. Javi gave our team great quality in terms of play and has always been an excellent personal fit. The highlight of the many titles he’s won with us was, of course, the two Champions League wins, in the 2013 final against Borussia Dortmund and in 2020 against Paris Saint-Germain. And we all still remember his two last-minute goals in the European Super Cups against Chelsea in 2013 and against Sevilla in 2020. May I thank Javi for a tremendously enjoyable and successful time. Take care, Javi. You’ll always be an important part of the FC Bayern family.”
Board member Oliver Kahn: “FC Bayern has been able to celebrate tremendous success with and thanks to Javi Martinez. Javi was an important cornerstone of our team for nine years, during which time we have made history. Winning the Bundesliga every year so far, two Champions League titles, two trebles, two decisive goals in two European Super Cups – and those were just the highlights. It’s remarkable. Muchas gracias, Javi!”
Board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic: “Javi was a very important player for FC Bayern over nine years, a defining player not just on the pitch but also in the dressing room and all around the club. His track record is almost unparalleled, especially in the big games where he was one who made the difference, starting with the 2013 Champions League final. He was versatile, put himself at the service of the team and always gave his all. Javi has his permanent place in the FC Bayern family and will keep it.”
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