Obafemi Martins

Nigerian footballer (born 1984)

Obafemi Martins

Martins with Levante in 2012

Personal information
Full name|  Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins[1]
Date of birth|  (1984-10-28) 28 October 1984 (age 40)[2]
Place of birth|  Lagos, Nigeria
Height|  1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Position(s)|  Forward
Youth career
1999–2000|  Ebedei
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2000–2001|  Reggiana|  2|  (0)
2001–2006|  Inter Milan[2]|  88|  (28)
2006–2009|  Newcastle United|  88|  (28)
2009–2010|  VfL Wolfsburg|  16|  (6)
2010–2012|  Rubin Kazan|  20|  (3)
2011|  → Birmingham City (loan)|  4|  (0)
2012–2013|  Levante|  21|  (7)
2013–2015|  Seattle Sounders FC|  72|  (40)
2016–2018|  Shanghai Shenhua|  40|  (19)
2020|  Shanghai Shenhua|  4|  (0)
2020|  Wuhan|  6|  (1)
Total|  |  361|  (132)
International career
2004–2015|  Nigeria|  42|  (18)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins (born 28 October 1984) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

After leaving Nigeria for Italy at age 16, he played for a number of top-division clubs around Europe. He began his senior career in 2002 at Serie A club Inter Milan, before he moved to Premier League club Newcastle United in 2006, and then to Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg in 2009. Having joined Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan in July 2010, they loaned him to Birmingham City in January 2011. He spent a season with La Liga club Levante, he played for Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer from 2013 to 2015, scoring 40 goals, before spending several years in China with Shanghai Shenhua and Wuhan.

In club football, Martins won the Serie A title, the Italian Cup (twice), and the Italian Super Cup, all with Inter. With Birmingham he scored the winning goal in the 2011 Football League Cup Final. He played European football with Inter, Newcastle and Wolfsburg, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Newcastle. His highest scoring league seasons saw him score 11 goals in the 2004–05 Serie A, and 17 in both the 2006–07 Premier League and 2014 MLS. In international football, Martins was in the Nigerian squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and for the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

## Club career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Martins joined the local football club F.C. Ebedei, having been scouted by manager Churchill Oliseh while playing on the streets of his hometown. After a year with the club, Serie C side A.C. Reggiana made a move for the player. After a three-month trial, Martins and Ebedei teammate Stephen Makinwa signed youth contracts with the club in 2000. His first season in Italy saw Martins break into the first team squad, and later in the year Serie A sides Perugia and Inter Milan made offers for the forward.[4]

### Inter Milan

[edit]

Martins (right) with Inter Milan in 2005

Martins was signed by Inter Milan in 2001 for a €750,000 transfer fee,[5] and in his first season he scored 23 goals for the youth team, helping them to win the Campionato Nazionale Primavera in 2001–02 season.[6] His form for the youth side led to his first-team league debut the following season, starting in a match against Parma on 22 December 2002 which was won by Inter 2–1.[7] The following month, he signed a new contract for the club along with Nicola Beati and Giovanni Pasquale.[8]

Martins did not become a regular member of the first team squad until the 2002–03 season. During this season he was given his first UEFA Champions League appearance by manager Héctor Cúper, entering as a substitute against his future employers, Newcastle United, at St James' Park. He scored his first Champions League goal in a match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen to secure Inter's place in the quarter-finals; footage of his celebratory somersaults were subsequently used by UEFA to advertise the following season's competition. He scored again in the semi-final match against Inter's arch-rivals Milan, but could not prevent the club losing out on away goals to the competition's eventual winners.[9] In the championship, he scored once in four appearances.[2]

Martins signed a long-term contract with Inter Milan in 2005 which ran until 2010 and was worth around €2.5 million annually.[10] He was also protagonist in team's successful run in Coppa Italia, scoring six goals, including a hat-trick against Bologna,[11] as the tournament ended in conquest.[12] Martins amassed 22 goals in 45 matches across all competitions, setting a new personal best; his good form for Inter earned him a spot in Nigeria's 2006 Africa Cup of Nations squad.[13]

Although he had some success with Inter, scoring 28 goals for the club in 88 league games as well as 11 goals in European competitions, he was sold in August 2006. This was due to Inter bringing in two new strikers; first Argentinian Hernán Crespo was brought in on loan from Chelsea and then the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimović was bought by Inter from Juventus.[14]

### Newcastle United

[edit]

Martins warming up before a match

After Martins submitted a transfer request,[14] Premier League club Newcastle United completed a deal with Inter for the striker on 24 August 2006 for €15 million.[15] Martins signed a five-year deal. He was paraded in front of the Geordie fans before their UEFA cup tie against FK Ventspils, and inherited the club's cherished number 9 shirt, vacated after the retirement of the club-record goalscorer Alan Shearer in April.

Martins made his Premier League debut on 27 August, in the 2–0 defeat to Aston Villa, in which he was stretchered off with a knee injury. It turned out that Martins suffered a severe dead leg and internal bleeding. His unremarkable first few appearances for Newcastle caused manager Glenn Roeder to speak out in his defence.[16]

Martins with Newcastle teammate Nicky Butt in 2007

However, on 17 September, Martins scored his first goal for Newcastle. It was the second goal in a 2–0 victory over West Ham United at Upton Park, and from there his goalscoring form began to improve steadily.

Reports in January 2007 suggested that Chelsea were considering making an offer for Martins' services after his impressive form. These reports were later rubbished by Martins himself,[17] and Roeder stated that although he was interested in signing a Chelsea player, he would not allow Martins to leave Newcastle.[18]

On 14 January, in a 3–2 away win against Tottenham Hotspur, Martins' 20-yard shot rocketed into the net. This strike was clocked by Sky Sports at a speed of 84 mph (135 km/h), making it unofficially the ninth hardest shot ever recorded in football according to the Guardian website.[19] This was his tenth goal for Newcastle. Martins ended his first season on Tyneside with 17 goals in 46 games.

Martins at a pre-season training camp with Newcastle in 2007

His second season was somewhat mixed. With new manager Sam Allardyce preferring to play Michael Owen and Mark Viduka up front, Martins found himself being used as an impact substitute for the first half of the season. Despite this he managed to score consistently, and when Allardyce was sacked and Kevin Keegan was appointed, Martins found himself being used as part of a three pronged attack along with Owen and Viduka. Martins scored fewer goals in his second season with Newcastle, mainly due to him no longer being the focal point of all their attacks as he was in his first season with them, as well as his season being interrupted with the African Cup of Nations participation with Nigeria in December.

Martins scored six goals in 12 league games during the first half of the 2008–09 season before a torn hamstring ruled him out for several games.[20] It was confirmed on 7 January 2009, that Martins would undergo hernia surgery in Germany the next Monday. He was operated on by renowned specialist Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck. He did make it back in time for the last two games of the season, scoring in a relegation six-pointer derby against Middlesbrough. However, he could not stop Newcastle being relegated to the Championship.[21] He initially reiterated his desire to stay and help the club return to the Premier League for the 2009–10 season, but he eventually left for VfL Wolfsburg. His last game was in a preseason friendly against Leyton Orient, which Newcastle lost 6–1.

During his three-year spell on Tyneside, Martins amassed 35 goals in all competitions from 104 games.

### VfL Wolfsburg

[edit]

On 29 July 2009, Newcastle accepted a £9 million bid from Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg. The transfer was confirmed on 31 July with Martins signing a four-year contract.[22] For his debut, Martins came on as a second-half substitute against 1\. FC Köln at the Rhein Energie Stadion, with his team deadlocked at 1–1. He helped in the buildup to the second goal and capped off his first appearance in the Bundesliga with a well-taken goal after dribbling past two onrushing defenders and then coolly finishing from six yards out, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to the far post.

### Rubin Kazan

[edit]

On 9 July 2010, Martins was sold for a reported €17 million to reigning Russian Premier League champions Rubin Kazan. He signed a three-year contract and told BBC Sport: "I am joining a team of champions and I hope to bring my best to the club to make them even greater." Martins' agent, Nicola Walter, revealed that Rubin met all of the player's requirements and that manager Kurban Berdyev had a "massive role" for him to play, following the departure of striker Aleksandr Bukharov. Martins was able to make his debut with Rubin after 1 August, when the transfer window was opened. On 9 May 2012, Rubin Kazan won the Russian Cup giving Martins his first trophy in Russia.[23][24]

#### Loan to Birmingham City

[edit]

Martins celebrating after the 2011 Football League Cup Final

Following the birth of his child, Martins requested a move to England to be nearer to his family.[25] On 31 January 2011, he joined Premier League club Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season,[26] with the option of a £5 million permanent deal in the summer of 2011.[27] He made his debut, which had been delayed by the formalities of obtaining a working visa, in the starting eleven against Stoke City on 12 February; he played for 75 minutes as Birmingham won 1–0.[28][29] He scored his first goal for the club, 17 minutes into the FA Cup fifth-round defeat of Sheffield Wednesday, after a strong run.[30]

Martins scored the winning goal in the 2011 Football League Cup Final as Birmingham beat Arsenal 2–1 at Wembley Stadium, having been brought on as an 83rd-minute substitute. With one minute remaining in normal time, there was a moment of confusion between Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny as they attempted to deal with a headed knock down from Birmingham's Nikola Žigić. Martins passed the resulting loose ball into the empty net from near the penalty spot.[31] Martins described it as "the easiest goal I've ever scored in my career".[32] After two more Premier League appearances, he spent several weeks out with an injury eventually diagnosed as a stress fracture of the left tibia. After surgery in late April, he faced a recovery period estimated at three to four months.[33]

### Levante

[edit]

Martins (pictured with Levante in 2012) is known for celebrating a goal with a backflip

On 13 September 2012, Martins moved to Levante on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[34][35] He made his league debut on 23 September 2012, where he scored his first goal, and the winning goal, in a 2–1 home win against Real Sociedad.[36] Martins scored a brace for Levante in their 3–1 home victory over Granada on 28 October, sending his side into fourth place in the La Liga standings.[37]

### Seattle Sounders FC

[edit]

Martins at Seattle Tacoma International Airport upon arrival to Seattle Sounders FC in 2013

On 11 March 2013, it was announced that Martins signed with MLS club Seattle Sounders FC as a Designated Player after the club paid a $4 million buyout clause in Martins' contract with Levante. The move concluded weeks of speculation of a possible Martins move to Seattle. Levante had been hesitant to lose Martins mid-season, and had threatened Sounders FC with a tampering lawsuit.[38] On 15 March 2013, the club announced that the signing was official.[39] Martins scored his first goal for the club on 20 April 2013, performing his signature back-flip goal celebration.[40]

On 24 October 2014, Martins signed a new three-year contract extension with Seattle, nearly doubling his annual salary to more than $3 million.[41] The following day, Martins provided an assist for Marco Pappa's first goal as Seattle defeated the Galaxy 2–0 to win the Supporters' Shield.[42] The assist meant that Martins finished with 17 goals during the regular season, a club record, as well as notching 13 assists, a joint-club record held with Mauro Rosales.[41][42][43]

Martins had a very successful 2014 season with the Sounders, his second with the club, and was named as one of three MLS MVP finalists.[44] Martins was named to the MLS Best XI and the Sounders won every game in which he scored.[45] He also won MLS Goal of the Year for a looping goal he shot from an extremely tight angle near the end line into the far netting over Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch.[46]

### Shanghai Shenhua

[edit]

On 18 February 2016, Martins was signed for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.[47] On 15 May 2016, he scored his first goal with Shanghai as a late substitute in a 5–1 win over Guangzhou R&F.[48] Martins scored the only goal in the first leg of the 2017 Chinese FA Cup final and scored a spectacular goal in the second. Although their opponents, Shanghai SIPG, won the second leg 3–2, Shanghai Shenhua won the trophy on away goals.[49]

On 31 March 2018, Martins scored his first hat-trick for Shenhua in a 4–2 home win against Hebei China Fortune.[50] However, he suffered a partial rupture of tendon of quadriceps femoris at his right knee in the fifth group stage match of 2018 AFC Champions League against Kashima Antlers on 3 April 2018, which ruled him out for at least six months.[51] On 1 June 2018 it was announced that Martins had been waived from Shenhua.[52]

He suffered a torn hamstring in May 2019, and in November 2019 said that he was seeking a new club following his recovery from injury.[53]

### Return to Shanghai Shenhua

[edit]

On 15 July 2020, it was announced that Martins had returned to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.[54]

### Wuhan Zall

[edit]

On 20 September 2020, after his Shanghai Shenhua contract was terminated, Martins joined Chinese Super League club Wuhan Zall on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[55][56]

## International career

[edit]

Martins made his debut for Nigeria in 2004 at the age of 19 in the 2004 Unity Cup scoring the second goal, in the tri-nations Unity Cup tournament in London.[57] He was a part of the Nigerian team that finished third in the 2006 African Cup of Nations. Martins scored two goals in the competition, both coming against Senegal in the first round.

His future for the national team was placed in doubt on numerous occasions after separate incidents of controversy. In August 2006, the Nigerian FA (NFA) website had his date of birth down as 1 May 1978, which would have made him 28 years of age rather than 21. The NFA soon confirmed that it had been an administrative error and apologised for the confusion it had caused. However Martins threatened to quit playing for the national team after the blunder had initially put his move to Newcastle in doubt.[58]

On 6 February 2007, Martins failed to turn up for the 4–1 friendly defeat against Ghana, despite being ordered to play. He later explained his absence was due to the fact he had travelled to Lagos to visit his sick mother.[59] The Nigerian caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen was furious with Martins and threatened to ban him from the national team.[60] On 14 February 2007, Martins apologised for missing the game but said he believed his mother's health was more important. He also said that he would be available to play for Nigeria in the future.[61] He made his return to the national side on 24 March 2007, playing the full match against Uganda in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match and won.

Following the end of Nigeria's 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, Nigeria faced Mexico in Ciudad Juárez for a friendly match. Martins scored two goals in a 2–2 draw.

On 17 November 2007, Martins captained Nigeria for the first time, in a friendly match against Australia for his 19th appearance. On 12 November 2009 he scored a spectacular goal in the 83rd minute against Kenya in Nairobi, thus ensuring Nigeria's qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. At the finals in South Africa, Martins played in just two games for a total of 71 minutes, without scoring.[62] In the first group game, he came on as a 52nd-minute substitute for Victor Obinna.[63] In the third game he was used as a 57th-minute substitute for Nwankwo Kanu.[64] Nigeria exited the tournament bottom of Group B with only one point.[65]

## Style of play

[edit]

Martins in action for Seattle in 2014

A fast, diminutive, and agile left-footed striker, who is quick on the ball, Martins is primarily known for his outstanding pace, mobility, and athleticism as a footballer, as well as his striking power, strength, and his elevation, despite his small stature; he has also stood out for his acrobatic goal celebrations.[66][67][68]

## Personal life

[edit]

Martins had two brothers who also played football professionally. His elder brother, Oladipupo Martins, was also a professional footballer before retiring in 2009 due to heart problems. He died on 8 August 2011 of a suspected heart attack in Lagos, Nigeria.[69][70] Martins' younger brother is John Ronan Martins. The name "Obafemi" translates literally to "the king loves me" in the Yoruba language.[71]

Martins received his U.S. green card in 2015 which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[72]

He is married to Ghanaian-Italian Abigail Barwuah, sister of Mario Balotelli. The couple have one child, born in 2013.[73]

His elder son Kevin Martins (b. 2005) followed on his father's footsteps and became a youth international for Italy.[74]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[75] Club  | Season  | League  | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Reggiana[76] | 2000–01  | Serie C1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0
Inter Milan | 2001–02 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0
2002–03 | Serie A  | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 2 | — | 10 | 3
2003–04 | Serie A  | 25 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 9[d] | 3 | — | 37 | 11
2004–05 | Serie A  | 31 | 11 | 6 | 6 | — | 9[c] | 5 | — | 46 | 22
2005–06 | Serie A  | 28 | 9 | 5 | 2 | — | 9[c] | 2 | 1[e] | 0 | 43 | 13
Total  | 88 | 28 | 16 | 9 | — | 31 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 136 | 49
Newcastle United | 2006–07 | Premier League | 33 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9[f] | 6 | — | 46 | 17
2007–08 | Premier League  | 31 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 33 | 10
2008–09 | Premier League  | 24 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 8
Total  | 88 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 6 | — | 104 | 35
VfL Wolfsburg | 2009–10 | Bundesliga | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 8[g] | 1 | — | 25 | 7
Rubin Kazan | 2010 | Russian Premier League | 12 | 2 | — | — | 5[c] | 0 | — | 17 | 2
2011–12 | Russian Premier League  | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 8[h] | 2 | — | 17 | 3
2012–13 | Russian Premier League  | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1[i] | 0 | 1 | 0
Total  | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 5
Birmingham City (loan)  | 2010–11 | Premier League  | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 6 | 2
Levante | 2012–13 | La Liga | 21 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | 3[j] | 2 | — | 27 | 9
Seattle Sounders FC | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 20 | 8 | 1[k] | 0 | — | — | 1[l] | 0 | 22 | 8
2014 | Major League Soccer  | 31 | 17 | 2[k] | 2 | — | — | 4[l] | 0 | 37 | 19
2015 | Major League Soccer  | 21 | 15 | 1[k] | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 3[l] | 0 | 25 | 16
Total  | 72 | 40 | 4 | 3 | — | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 84 | 43
Shanghai Shenhua | 2016 | Chinese Super League | 26 | 9 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | 31 | 15
2017 | Chinese Super League  | 13 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | 1[m] | 0 | — | 21 | 13
2018 | Chinese Super League  | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 5[m] | 1 | 1[n] | 0 | 7 | 4
Total  | 40 | 19 | 12 | 12 | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 32
Shanghai Shenhua  | 2020 | Chinese Super League  | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0
Wuhan | 2020 | Chinese Super League  | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 1
Career total  | 361 | 132 | 40 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 70 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 488 | 183

1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, Russian Cup, Copa del Rey, U.S. Open Cup, Chinese FA Cup
2. ^ Includes Football League Cup
3. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
4. ^ Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and two goals in UEFA Cup
5. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
7. ^ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League
8. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League
9. ^ Appearance in Russian Super Cup[77]
10. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
11. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in U.S. Open Cup[78]
12. ^ a b c Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
13. ^ a b Appearances in AFC Champions League
14. ^ Appearance in Chinese FA Super Cup

### International

[edit]

Appearances and goals by national team and year[79] National team | Year | Apps | Goals

|
|
|

Nigeria | 2004 | 4 | 3
2005 | 5 | 6
2006 | 7 | 2
2007 | 5 | 2
2008 | 2 | 0
2009 | 3 | 2
2010 | 12 | 3
2011 | 0 | 0
2012 | 1 | 0
2013 | 1 | 0
2014 | 0 | 0
2015 | 2 | 0
Total | 42 | 18

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Martins goal.
List of international goals scored by Obafemi Martins[79] No.  | Date  | Venue  | Opponent  | Score  | Result  | Competition  | Refs

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | 29 May 2004 | The Valley, London, England |  Republic of Ireland | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | [80]
2 | 5 June 2004 | National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria |  Rwanda | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification | [81]
3 | 2–0
4 | 5 June 2005 | Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda |  Rwanda | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification  | [82]
5 | 17 August 2005 | Tripoli Stadium, Tripoli, Libya |  Libya | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly  | [83]
6 | 4 September 2005 | Ahmed Zabana Stadium, Oran, Algeria |  Algeria | 1–0 | 5–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification  | [84]
7 | 4–2
8 | 8 October 2005 | National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria |  Zimbabwe | 1–0 | 5–1 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification  | [85]
9 | 3–1
10 | 31 January 2006 | Port Said Stadium, Port Said, Egypt |  Senegal | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2006 Africa Cup of Nations | [86]
11 | 2–1
12 | 14 October 2007 | Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico |  Mexico | 1–0 | 2–2 | Friendly  | [87]
13 | 2–0
14 | 14 November 2009 | Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, Kenya |  Kenya | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | [88]
15 | 3–2
16 | 20 January 2010 | Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, Lubango, Angola |  Mozambique | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2010 Africa Cup of Nations | [89]
17 | 6 June 2010 | Makhulong Stadium, Tembisa, South Africa |  North Korea | 3–1 | 3–1 | Friendly  | [90]
18 | 5 September 2010 | U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria |  Madagascar | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | [91]

## Honours

[edit]

Inter Milan[78]

* Serie A: 2005–06
* Coppa Italia: 2004–05, 2005–06
* Supercoppa Italiana: 2005

Newcastle United

* UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2006

Birmingham City[92]

* Football League Cup: 2010–11

Rubin Kazan[78]

* Russian Cup: 2011–12
* Russian Super Cup: 2012

Seattle Sounders FC[78]

* MLS Supporters' Shield: 2014
* U.S. Open Cup: 2014

Shanghai Shenhua[49]

* Chinese FA Cup: 2017

Nigeria

* Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2006[93]

Individual

* CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: 2003, 2004[94]
* MLS Best XI: 2014[45]
* MLS Goal of the Year: 2014[46]
* MLS All-Star: 2015[95]
* Chinese FA Cup: Top Goalscorer: 2017[96]

## See also

[edit]

* Football in Africa portal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 02 de marzo de 2013, en Valencia" [Minutes of the Match held on 2 March 2013, in Valencia] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
2. ^ a b c "Obafemi Martins". Archive. Inter Milan. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
3. ^ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 22\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
4. ^ Burt, Jason (25 August 2007). "Obafemi Martins: Leap of faith from Lagos to Newcastle". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008.
5. ^ "Mister Oba Oba". inter.it. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
6. ^ "La festa è tutta dell' Inter" [The celebration is all for Inter] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 12 February 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
7. ^ "Parma 1:2 Inter" (in Italian). Calcio.com. 22 December 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
8. ^ "Inter tie up promising trio". UEFA. 6 January 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2003. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
9. ^ "Inter passage paved by Martins". UEFA. 19 March 2003. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
10. ^ Nadia Carminati (1 December 2005). "Martins signs new Inter deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
11. ^ "Bologna 1:3 Inter" (in Italian). Calcio.com. 12 January 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
12. ^ "#TBT: 2005 Coppa Italia triumph". inter.it. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
13. ^ Paul Doyle (16 January 2006). "Group D". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
14. ^ a b "Martins asks to leave". Sky Sports. 7 August 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
15. ^ "Newcastle FC 2006 Annual Report" (PDF). Newcastle FC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
16. ^ "Be patient with Martins – Roeder". BBC Sport. 11 September 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
17. ^ Bailey, Graeme (11 January 2007). "Martins slams Chelsea links". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 14 January 2007.
18. ^ Pearson, James (28 January 2007). "Roeder admits Blues enquiry". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
19. ^ Dart, James; Bandini, Nicky (14 February 2007). "The hardest recorded shot in football – ever". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
20. ^ Fraser, Paul (21 December 2008). "Martins missing for Magpies against Spurs". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
21. ^ "Toon striker Martins forced into hernia op". ESPN Soccernet. 7 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
22. ^ "Wolfsburg seal Martins deal". Sky Sports. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
23. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (9 July 2010). "Nigeria's Obafemi Martins signs for Russian champions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
24. ^ "Рубин" заплатил "Вольфсбургу" за Обафеми Мартинса 16 миллионов евро, срок контракта – 3 года (in Russian). sports.ru. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
25. ^ "Martins will play in Birmingham City on loan". FC Rubin Kazan. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
26. ^ "Blues complete Martins deal". Birmingham City F.C. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
27. ^ Tattum, Colin (1 February 2011). "Birmingham City fend off major bid as they land Obafemi Martins". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
28. ^ "Nigeria's Obafemi Martins set for Birmingham City debut". BBC Sport. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
29. ^ Roopanarine, Les (12 February 2011). "Birmingham 1–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
30. ^ Lacey, David (21 February 2011). "Birmingham cruise leaves Gary Megson lamenting woeful Wednesday". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
31. ^ "Football: Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham, Carling Cup Final 2011 Result". The Global Herald. 27 February 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
32. ^ "Jubilant Martins celebrates victory". ESPN Soccernet. 27 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
33. ^ "Oba out for the season". Birmingham City F.C. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
34. ^ "El Levante ya espera a Martins". Marca.com. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
35. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (14 September 2012). "Nigeria's Martins completes Levante move". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Retrieved 7 October 2012.
36. ^ "Martins marks debut with winner". ESPN Soccernet. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN). 23 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
37. ^ Chesters, Heath (28 October 2012). "Levante 3–1 Granada: Martins double puts JIM's men fourth". Inside Spanish Football. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013.
38. ^ Adewuyi, Lolade (11 March 2013). "Obafemi Martins signs for Seattle Sounders". GOAL.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
39. ^ "Sounders FC Signs Nigerian Striker Obafemi Martins". Seattle Sounders FC. Sounders FC Public Relations. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
40. ^ "Obafemi Martins". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
41. ^ a b "Sounders give Obafemi Martins deal worth $3 million a year, sources say". ESPNFC. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
42. ^ a b "First impressions: Sounders 2, Galaxy 0". Seattle Times. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
43. ^ "Obafemi Martins, Robbie Keane Race For MVP". Sounders Nation. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
44. ^ "Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins, Lee Nguyen vie for MVP as MLS announces 2014 awards finalists". 20 November 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
45. ^ a b "MLS reveals 2014 Best XI". 2 December 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
46. ^ a b "2014 Goal of the Year Winner: Obafemi Martins". Retrieved 12 March 2015.
47. ^ "Obafemi Martins leaves MLS for Chinese Super League". BBC Sport. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
48. ^ "Shenhua punishes R&F 5-1". Shanghai Daily. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
49. ^ a b "Nigeria's Obafemi Martins helps Shenhua win Chinese FA Cup". BBC Sport. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
50. ^ "中超-马丁斯戴帽瓜林建功 申花4-2逆转华夏取连胜". Sina Sport. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
51. ^ "申花公布马丁斯伤情:肌腱部分断裂 康复需6-7个月". Sina Sport. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
52. ^ "登巴巴回归申花在即 马丁斯已解约注册无障碍" (in Chinese). sina.com. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
53. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (9 November 2019). "Obafemi Martins: Nigeria star not contemplating retirement yet". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
54. ^ "空翻王回归!申花官宣马丁斯加盟 17年足协杯立大功". sports.sina.com.cn. 15 July 2020.
55. ^ "Shanghai Shenhua terminates Obafemi Martins's contract one month after signing him for free". Own Goal Nigeria. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
56. ^ "Reporter:Martins has arrived in the Suzhou Division and is expected to play against Chongqing". YQQLM. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
57. ^ "Martins delighted with debut". BBC Sport. 30 May 2004. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
58. ^ "NFA embarrasses Obafemi Martins, ridicules Nigeria". Vanguard. 4 August 2006. Archived from the original on 31 October 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
59. ^ "Martins no-show for sick mother". BBC Sport. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
60. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (9 February 2007). "Nigeria get tough on Martins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
61. ^ "Martins sorry for Nigeria no-show". BBC Sport. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
62. ^ "2010 FIFA World Cup – Obafemi MARTINS". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
63. ^ "Argentina 1:0 (1:0) Nigeria". FIFA.com. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
64. ^ "Nigeria 2:2 (1:1) Korea Republic". FIFA.com. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
65. ^ "Nigeria". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
66. ^ Andrea Sorrentino (4 February 2005). "Martins, scatti gol e timidezza Le mie capriole per Mancini" [Martins, sprints goals and shyness My back-flips for Mancini] (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
67. ^ Gherarducci, Mario (4 May 2003). "Le acrobazie di Martins non svegliano l' Inter" [Martins's acrobatics don't wake Inter up] (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
68. ^ Di Gioia, Alessandro (29 March 2020). "Che fine ha fatto? 'Oba Oba' Martins, dalla Champions sfiorata con l'Inter al ritorno dopo due anni... in Cina!". calciomercato (in Italian). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
69. ^ "How Did Nigeria's Obafemi Martins' Brother Die?". Socqer.com. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
70. ^ "Martins' Brother Dies of Heart Problem". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
71. ^ "Meaning of Obafemi". Nigerian.name. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
72. ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (17 December 2015). "Obafemi Martins indeed has a green card". sounderatheart.com. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
73. ^ "Mario Balotelli non ha dubbi: 'Mio nipote è swag'. Il calciatore innamorato del figlio di Abigail Barwuah e Obafemi Martins, Kendrick". gossip.it (in Italian). 15 October 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
74. ^ "Kevin Martins, il figlio di Oba Oba già protagonista all'Inter". Goal.com (in Italian). 16 December 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
75. ^ "Obafemi Martins: Club matches". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
76. ^ "Statistiche su Martins Obafemi". Carriere Calciatori (in Italian). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
77. ^ Dryomin, Mike (14 October 2021). "Russia 2011/12: Russian Super Cup 2012". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
78. ^ a b c d "O. Martins". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
79. ^ a b Mamrud, Roberto (6 January 2016). "Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
80. ^ "Ireland subjected to humbling defeat". Irish Examiner. 29 May 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
81. ^ "Group Four results". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
82. ^ "Rwanda v Nigeria, 05 June 2005". 11v11. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
83. ^ "Live: qualifiers and friendlies". BBC Sport. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
84. ^ Olajire, Ademola (12 September 2005). "Hail new Nigeria!". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
85. ^ "Nigeria out of Germany 2006". Online Nigeria. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
86. ^ "Martins gives Nigeria comeback win". CNN.com. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
87. ^ Erfort, John (15 October 2007). "Mexico rallies to tie Nigeria, 2–2". El Paso Times. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
88. ^ "Kenya vs. Nigeria 2–3". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
89. ^ "Nigeria reach last eight". News24 (South Africa). 20 January 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
90. ^ "Nigeria defeats N. Korea in World Cup sparring session". The Korea Times. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
91. ^ "Eagles beat Madagascar 2–0". P.M. News. 5 September 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
92. ^ McNulty, Philip (27 February 2011). "Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
93. ^ Courtney, Barrie; Díaz Rubio, Julián; Saaid, Hamdan; Stokkermans, Karel; Tabeira, Martín (15 December 2006). "African Nations Cup 2004". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
94. ^ "Iheanacho adjudged Most Promising Talent". Confederation of African Football. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
95. ^ "Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara among 22 players named to 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster". Major League Soccer. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
96. ^ "2017足协杯射手榜". sports.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). 18 March 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Obafemi Martins.

Wikiquote has quotations related to Obafemi Martins.

* Obafemi Martins at Soccerbase
* Obafemi Martins at Soccerway
* Obafemi Martins at National-Football-Teams.com

Awards

* v
* t
* e

CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year

* 2001:  Mantorras
* 2002:  Mido
* 2003:  Martins
* 2004:  Martins
* 2005:  Mikel
* 2006:  Taiwo
* 2007:  Mulenga
* 2008:  Kalou
* 2009:  Adiyiah
* 2010:  Asamoah
* 2011:  Coulibaly
* 2012:  Salah
* 2013:  Ịheanachọ
* 2014:  Brahimi
* 2015:  Etebo
* 2016:  Ịheanachọ
* 2017:  Daka

Football in Africa portal

* v
* t
* e

MLS Goal of the Year Award

* 1996: Wynalda
* 1997: Etcheverry
* 1998: McBride
* 1999: Etcheverry
* 2000: Balboa
* 2001: Mathis
* 2002: Ruiz
* 2003: Ralph
* 2004: De Rosario
* 2005: De Rosario
* 2006: Ching
* 2007: Blanco
* 2008: Johnson
* 2009: Donovan
* 2010: Pappa
* 2011: Nagbe
* 2012: Ianni
* 2013: Sanvezzo
* 2014: Martins
* 2015: Németh
* 2016: Gashi
* 2017: Villalba
* 2018: Ibrahimović
* 2019: Martínez
* 2020: Nagbe
* 2021: Rubin
* 2022: Martínez
* 2023: Acosta
* 2024: Orellano

* v
* t
* e

2014 MLS Best XI

* GK: Hamid
* DF: Boswell
* DF: Gonzalez
* DF: Marshall
* MF: Donovan
* MF: Henry
* MF: Nguyen
* MF: Valeri
* FW: Keane
* FW: Martins
* FW: Wright-Phillips

* v
* t
* e

Chinese FA Cup top scorers

* 1995: Tang Xiaocheng
* 1996: Hu Yunfeng / Li Bing / Song Yuming
* 1997: Olivas / Delvalle / Nan Fang / Haddaoui
* 1998: Wang Tao / Zhang Yuning
* 1999: Williams
* 2000: Georgiev
* 2001: Orlando
* 2002: Tréllez / Li Jinyu / Marcos
* 2003: Nahornyak
* 2004: Nannskog
* 2005: Zou Jie
* 2006: Han Peng
* 2011: Muriqui
* 2012: Jordà
* 2013: Utaka
* 2014: Xiao Zhi
* 2015: Ba
* 2016: Martins / Teixeira / Zahavi
* 2017: Martins
* 2018: Viera
* 2019: Wang Feike
* 2020: Guedes
* 2021: Delgado / Maritu
* 2022: Egbuchulam
* 2023: Cryzan / Xiang Yuwang

Nigeria squads

* v
* t
* e

Nigeria squad – 2006 Africa Cup of Nations third place

* 1 Enyeama
* 2 Yobo
* 3 Taiwo
* 4 Kanu
* 5 Odiah
* 6 Enakarhire
* 7 Utaka
* 8 Mikel
* 9 Martins
* 10 Okocha (c)
* 11 Lawal
* 12 Ejide
* 13 Yussuf
* 14 Obinna
* 15 Obiefule
* 16 Oruma
* 17 Aghahowa
* 18 Obodo
* 19 Makinwa
* 20 Odemwingie
* 21 Nwaneri
* 22 Kaita
* 23 Aiyenugba
* Coach: Eguavoen

* v
* t
* e

Nigeria squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations

* 1 Enyeama
* 2 Yobo
* 3 Taiwo
* 4 Kanu (c)
* 5 Nwaneri
* 6 Shittu
* 7 Utaka
* 8 Yakubu
* 9 Martins
* 10 Mikel
* 11 Odemwingie
* 12 Ejide
* 13 Afolabi
* 14 Olofinjana
* 15 Uche
* 16 Etuhu
* 17 Makinwa
* 18 Obinna
* 19 Emeghara
* 20 Okonkwo
* 21 Eromoigbe
* 22 Apam
* 23 Aiyenugba
* Coach: Vogts

* v
* t
* e

Nigeria squad – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations third place

* 1 Enyeama
* 2 Yobo
* 3 Taiwo
* 4 Kanu (c)
* 5 Nwaneri
* 6 Shittu
* 7 Obasi
* 8 Yakubu
* 9 Martins
* 10 Mikel
* 11 Odemwingie
* 12 Ejide
* 13 Yussuf
* 14 Olofinjana
* 15 Kaita
* 16 Uche
* 17 Odiah
* 18 Obinna
* 19 Mohamed
* 20 Etuhu
* 21 Echiéjilé
* 22 Apam
* 23 Aiyenugba
* Coach: Amodu

* v
* t
* e

Nigeria squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup

* 1 Enyeama
* 2 Yobo
* 3 Taiwo
* 4 Kanu (c)
* 5 Afolabi
* 6 Shittu
* 7 Utaka
* 8 Yakubu
* 9 Martins
* 10 Ideye
* 11 Odemwingie
* 12 Uche
* 13 Yussuf
* 14 Kaita
* 15 Haruna
* 16 Ejide
* 17 Odiah
* 18 Obinna
* 19 Obasi
* 20 Etuhu
* 21 Echiéjilé
* 22 Adeleye
* 23 Aiyenugba
* Coach: Lagerbäck

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[Refs]: References
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template