Colombia’s Under-17 side has just lost one of its brightest talents. Samuel Martínez, the attacking midfielder who starred at the 2026 Sudamericano Sub-17, has been signed by Liverpool at just 17 years old. The English club announced the deal on Monday, July 21, 2026, underscoring the growing European appetite for Colombian talent.
What happened with Samuel Martínez?
Samuel Martínez was the standout performer as Colombia claimed the 2026 Sudamericano Sub-17 title. The playmaker, a product of Atlético Nacional’s youth ranks, played every minute of the six-match tournament and delivered three key assists. His performances caught the eye of multiple European clubs, but Liverpool moved first to secure his future. The teenager - son of former player Jairo Alonso Martínez Quintero - will join the LFC Academy ahead of the 2027-28 season once he turns 18.
Liverpool’s official announcement highlighted Martínez’s role as one of Colombia’s standout players in the continental triumph. The club described him as a technically gifted midfielder with outstanding vision and an ability to unlock defenses in the final third. The deal fits a pattern of top European sides targeting promising young Colombians.
Why it matters for Colombia
The 2026 Sudamericano Sub-17 proved once again that Colombian youth teams are a factory for world-class talent. Martínez wasn’t alone: his three assists in six games were pivotal as Colombia lifted the trophy. The tournament, played earlier this year, confirmed that Colombian football continues to churn out stars with global potential.
The competition for Martínez was fierce. Reports indicated Borussia Dortmund had tracked him closely in recent weeks. Yet Liverpool prevailed by offering a long-term project that prioritizes his development in the Academy before integrating him into the first team - a blueprint that has worked for other young stars at Anfield.
What’s next for Martínez and La Tricolor?
Samuel Martínez will spend the next two seasons in Liverpool’s Academy before graduating to the senior side. Meanwhile, Colombia’s Under-17 team is already looking ahead. The 2026 continental title is a major step, but the ultimate goal remains turning these young players into established international stars.
La Tricolor, fresh off a 3-0 win over Australia on November 19, 2025, is on a two-game winning streak and sits on a recent run of three wins and two draws in its last five outings. Martínez’s move is the latest example of the talent pipeline feeding Colombian football, both at youth and professional levels.
