Panama Debut Puts Kiryat Shmona Midfielder Cristian Martinez in the Spotlight

Cristian Martinez, Kiryat Shmona’s midfielder, made an impressive World Cup debut for Panama in the United States on June 18, 2026. Panama lost in the 94th minute, but Martinez was praised for a strong individual performance, with the article describing him as very mobile and heavily involved in his team’s play.

In Panama, he received a 7 rating, the second-best mark on the team. Social media in the country also buzzed over him, with one post saying, “Cristian Martinez is Panama’s best player,” and another noting that he was “everywhere on the pitch” and “completely controlled the middle of the field.” A separate comment from a fan who had not known him before asked, “Who is number 6? He is like Speedy Gonzales. He runs nonstop. He is Panama’s standout.”

Martinez is under contract with Kiryat Shmona for next season. The club, owned by Izzy Sheratzky, received $300,000 from FIFA because of his World Cup participation, and a sale after the tournament is not ruled out. Beitar Jerusalem has shown interest, while Kiryat Shmona is expected to sell to the highest bidder.

The report also says Spanish clubs had previously expressed interest, and that a good World Cup could pave the way for a major transfer fee.