Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins (born October 28, 1984) is a Nigerian professional footballer widely recognized for his explosive speed, acrobatic goal celebrations, and prolific goal-scoring record across top leagues in Europe and North America. He is one of the most prominent Nigerian strikers of his generation, enjoying a career that spanned nearly two decades and included multiple major titles.Early Life and Education Martins was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He began his youth career in 1999 with the local club F.C. Ebedei. Demonstrating exceptional talent early on, he left Nigeria at the age of 16 to pursue opportunities in European football, joining the Italian Serie C club Reggiana in 2000. He has two brothers, Oladipupo Olarotini Martins and John Ronan Martins, who also became professional footballers.Career Progression and Achievements Martins rose to international prominence after joining Italian giants Inter Milan in 2001. He quickly progressed through the youth ranks and debuted for the first team in 2002. During his time at Inter Milan (2002–2006), he scored 49 goals in 136 appearances and won the Serie A title (2006), three Coppa Italia titles (2005, 2006), and the Supercoppa Italiana (2005). Following his success in Italy, Martins played for Newcastle United in the English Premier League (2006–2009), where he scored 35 goals in 103 appearances. He later moved to VfL Wolfsburg in Germany and Rubin Kazan in Russia before making a significant impact at Levante in Spain's La Liga. A pivotal phase of his career occurred at Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2013 to 2015, where he became one of the league's top players. He won the MLS Supporters' Shield and the US Open Cup in 2014, and was named to the MLS Best XI in the same year. He then moved to China, playing for Shanghai Shenhua (2016–2018) and Wuhan Zall.Notable Works and International Career Martins made his debut for the Nigerian Senior National Team, the Super Eagles, in 2004. Throughout his international career, he earned 42 caps and scored 18 goals, representing Nigeria in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His signature achievements include winning the English League Cup with Birmingham City in 2011, where he scored the winning goal against Arsenal. He is renowned for his enduring speed and athleticism, traits that defined his nickname "Obagoal."Current Status As of the current period, Martins has largely stepped away from professional club football after last playing for Wuhan Zall in 2020, although he has not formally announced his retirement. He remains an influential figure in Nigerian football and maintains a high profile on social media.