Current China coach Bora Milutinovic is hardly short of World Cup stories.
But he has none greater than his adventure in Italy when he led Costa Rica to victory over Scotland then, even more improbably, to the second round, as Medford's 87th-minute strike gave them victory over Sweden.
And that goal, more than anything else, inspired Martinez to cast aside his life of poverty and make his name in football.
"There is nobody I admire more than Medford for the way he played and for his personality," he said.
"Now I know him, and we're good friends. It's wonderful, because he advises me and always talks about sport.
"I'm very fortunate, because he was a childhood hero. I remember that when I first met him, I didn't know what to say, or how to treat him. He was always kind though, and made things easy."