By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Akinwunmi Obafemi Martins, famously called ‘Obagoal’ is a Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays for the Wuhan Yangtze River Football Club.
He was born on the 28th of October 1984. He is 38 years old as of 2022.
Martins is one of the finest footballers who has worn the Super Eagles shirt. His stamina and agility make him a special player.
His nickname “Obagoal” means “King of goals”. He earned this moniker from football lovers who are fascinated with how seamless the striker goes for goals in football matches.
Martins has played in North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He also holds the record for being the first teenager to score in three consecutive Champions League seasons.
Career
Club Career
Obagoal began his football career with F.C. Ebedei in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State after he was scouted on the street by Churchill Oliseh, the father of Nigeria’s legendary footballer, Sunday Oliseh
At age 16, Martins left Nigeria for Italy to join the youth team of Inter Milan in 2001 for a transfer fee of €750,000. He graduated from the youth team to the first team the following season.
After five seasons in Milan, Martins moved to join the English Premiership club, Newcastle, in 2006. He then moved to join the German club, VfL Wolfsburg, three years later.
In 2010, Martins joined Russian Premier League club, Rubin Kazan, before he was loaned back to England, this time to Birmingham City in 2011.
He made a free transfer move to the Spanish side, Levante, in 2012 for a two years deal. And in March 2013, he joined MLS club Seattle Sounders FC as a Designated Player after the club paid a $4 million buyout clause in his contract with Levante.
In February 2016, Martins signed for Shanghai Shenhua, a Chinese club. His spel with the chinese club didnt end well for him as he was forced out of the club by injuries.
He however signed for another Chinese club, Wuhan in 2020
International football career
Martins made his Nigeria debut in the 2004 Unity Cup at the age of 19, scoring the second goal in the tri-nation tournament in London.
He was part of the National team which finished third at the 2006 African Cup of Nations with Marins scoring twice at the tournament.
In 2008, Martins bagged a brace in a friendly match between the Super Eagles and the Mexican National Team.
In 2009, he scored a wonderful goal for Super Eagles against Kenya which sealed the teams place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Martins scored a total of 19 goals in 40 caps for the Super Eagles.
Marriage
Martins is married to Abigail Barwuah, the sister of Mario Balotelli, and the couple has a child together, Kendrick.
However, Martins has two other children.
- Kevin Maussi Martins
- Tyler Martins
Both from other women.
Net worth
Martins is one of Nigeria’s richest footballers whose net worth is reportedly valued at about $35,000,000. His wealth is from his football, endorsement deals, and investments in real estate and entertainment.
While at Inter Milan, Martins earned about $2,83 million as an annual salary, $99,000 as a weekly salary with Newcastle, $678,000 annually with Levante, about $2,83 million with Seattle Sounders FC annually, and his highest pay came from the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua with an annual salary of $6.6 million
The football star is also reportedly rumoured to planning to diversify his stream of income by launching his nightclub and hotel in Lagos,
- Houses
Obagoal reportedly owns a mansion at VGC in Lagos which was rumoured to cost about N500,000,000.
He also reportedly owns another one in Como, Italy, worth about N800,000,000.
Cars
The footballer’s garage reportedly houses a collection of exorbitant cars such as Bentley Bentayga worth about $300,000. It also reportedly possesses a 6L dual-turbo W-12 engine with a top speed of 187 mph and accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4secs.
A Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren which is worth about $964,521, a Lamborghini Aventador costing about $417, 346, a Mercedes Benz G-Class ($295,000), a G-Wagon worth $295,000, and a Ferrari Spider of around N110 million.
Apart from this reported exotic garage, Obafemi Martins also reportedly possesses an Iguana 31 Expedition Yacht, which cost about N170,000,000.
Achievements
Inter Milan
- Serie A: 2005–06
- Coppa Italia: 2004–05, 2005–06
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2005
Newcastle United
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2006
Birmingham City
- Football League Cup: 2010–11
Rubin Kazan
- Russian Cup: 2011–12
- Russian Super Cup: 2012
Seattle Sounders FC
- MLS Supporters’ Shield: 2014
- U.S. Open Cup: 2014
Shanghai Shenhua
- Chinese FA Cup: 2017
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2006
Individual
- CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: 2003, 2004
- MLS Best XI: 2014
- MLS Goal of the Year: 2014
- MLS All-Star: 2015
- Chinese FA Cup: Top Goalscorer: 2017
Controversy
Popular music artist CDQ accused Burna Boy for disrespecting Obafemi Martins at a night club.
He made this known on his Twitter page. He wrote “Burna for the first time I’m disappointed in u!!! U and ur boys need to go apologise to Obagoal now! No let dem dey deceive you wit ur village title say african gi-ant com dey disrespect Oba; Eko lonpe bi, Obafemi Martins is not anybody’s mate. If we dey cry make we dey see.”
Martins however confirmed there was a rift between them which has been resolved. He revealed this on his Instagram page. He wrote ”I have been seeing a lot of allegations online and I don’t appreciate our names being disgraced like this. We had some misunderstanding a few nights ago but this issue has been resolved already.
“There was no fight at bayrock, the club is not even opened for clubbing, I just called my boys to talk about the issue there.
“I be shareholder there na, don’t destroy my business o. There is always fight and love amongst brothers. You guys are making too much hype, forget it and carry on. Eko oni baje”.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. All details cannot be independently verified by NewsWireNGR or its editorial team.
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