View source for Obafemi Martins

{{Short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1984)}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name                = Obafemi Martins
| image               = Martins Llevant.jpg
| upright             = 0.8
| caption             = Martins with [[Levante UD|Levante]] in 2012
| fullname            = Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=19388 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 02 de marzo de 2013, en Valencia |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 2 March 2013, in Valencia |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=16 June 2019 |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1984|10|28|df=y}}<ref name=interstats/>
| birth_place         = [[Lagos]], Nigeria
| height              = 1.70 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf#page=22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616010702/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf#page=22 |archive-date=16 June 2010 |format=PDF |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 List of Players |publisher=FIFA |page=22 |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref>
| currentclub         =
| position            = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| youthyears1         = 1999–2000
| youthclubs1         = [[F.C. Ebedei|Ebedei]]
| youthyears2         = 2000–2001
| youthclubs2         = [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]]
| youthyears3         = 2001–2002
| youthclubs3         = [[Inter Milan]]
| years1              = 2000–2001
| clubs1              = [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]]
| caps1               = 2
| goals1              = 0
| years2              = 2001–2006
| clubs2              = [[Inter Milan]]<ref name=interstats>{{cite web |url=http://www.inter.it/en/archivio_giocatore/G0745 |title=Obafemi Martins |work=Archive |publisher=Inter Milan |access-date=6 February 2011}}</ref>
| caps2               = 88
| goals2              = 28
| years3              = 2006–2009
| clubs3              = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| caps3               = 88
| goals3              = 28
| years4              = 2009–2010
| clubs4              = [[VfL Wolfsburg]]
| caps4               = 16
| goals4              = 6
| years5              = 2010–2012
| clubs5              = [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]
| caps5               = 20
| goals5              = 3
| years6              = 2011
| clubs6              = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
| caps6               = 4
| goals6              = 0<!-- league matches and goals ONLY in infobox -- no Carling Cup or FA Cup -- thank you -->
| years7              = 2012–2013
| clubs7              = [[Levante UD|Levante]]
| caps7               = 21
| goals7              = 7
| years8              = 2013–2015
| clubs8              = [[Seattle Sounders FC]]
| caps8               = 72
| goals8              = 40
| years9              = 2016–2018
| clubs9              = [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]]
| caps9               = 40
| goals9              = 19
| years10             = 2020
| clubs10             = [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]]
| caps10              = 4
| goals10             = 0
| years11             = 2020
| clubs11             = [[Wuhan F.C.|Wuhan]]
| caps11              = 6
| goals11             = 1
| totalcaps           = 361
| totalgoals          = 132
<!-- league matches and goals only -->
| nationalyears1      = 2004–2015
| nationalteam1       = [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
| nationalcaps1       = 42 
| nationalgoals1      = 18
}}

'''Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins'''  ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|oʊ|b|ə|ˈ|f|ɛ|m|i}} {{respell|oh|buh|FEH|mee}}
{{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑː|k|ɪ|n|ˈ|w|ʊ|n|m|i}} {{respell|ah-kin|WOON|mee}}
{{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɑː|r|t|ɪ|n|s}} {{respell|MAR|tinz}}, born 28 October 1984) is a Nigerian former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[forward (association football)|forward]].

After leaving Nigeria for Italy at age 16, he played for a number of [[List of top-division football clubs in UEFA countries|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 F.C.|Newcastle United]] in 2006, and then to [[Bundesliga]] club [[VfL Wolfsburg]] in 2009. Having joined [[Russian Premier League]] side [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]] in July 2010, they [[loan (sports)|loaned]] him to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] in January 2011. He spent a season with [[La Liga]] club [[Levante UD|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 Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]] and [[Wuhan F.C.|Wuhan]].

In club football, Martins won the Serie A title, the [[Coppa Italia|Italian Cup]] (twice), and the [[Supercoppa Italiana|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. His highest scoring league seasons saw him score 11 goals in the [[2004–05 Serie A]], and 17 in both the [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07 Premier League]] and [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014 MLS]]. In international football, Martins was in the Nigerian squad for the [[Africa Cup of Nations]] in [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]], [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]] and [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]], and for the [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]].

==Club career==

===Early career===
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 1919|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 (football)|forward]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/obafemi-martins-leap-of-faith-from-lagos-to-newcastle-462901.html|title=Obafemi Martins: Leap of faith from Lagos to Newcastle|date=25 August 2007|work=The Independent |first=Jason |last=Burt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517095808/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/obafemi-martins-leap-of-faith-from-lagos-to-newcastle-462901.html |archive-date=17 May 2008}}</ref>

===Inter Milan===
[[File:17 aprile al meazza (9689231) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Martins (right) with Inter Milan in 2005]]
Martins was signed by Inter Milan in 2001 for a €750,000 [[transfer fee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://110.inter.it/en/obafemi-martins-en/martins-testo3eng/|title=Mister Oba Oba|publisher=inter.it|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2002/febbraio/12/festa_tutta_dell_Inter_ga_0_0202121158.shtml|title=La festa è tutta dell' Inter|trans-title=The celebration is all for Inter|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=12 February 2002|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref> His form for the youth side led to his first-team league debut the following season, starting in a match against [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] on 22 December 2002 which was won by Inter 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calcio.com/cronaca_partita/serie-a-2002-2003-parma-fc-inter/|title=Parma 1:2 Inter|publisher=Calcio.com|language=it|date=22 December 2002|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref> The following month, he signed a new contract for the club along with [[Nicola Beati]] and [[Giovanni Pasquale]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind%3D1/newsid%3D48149.html|title=Inter tie up promising trio|website=[[UEFA]]|date=6 January 2003|access-date=20 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030108100946/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=48149.html|archive-date=8 January 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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 [[somersault]]s 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 [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], but could not prevent the club losing out on [[away goals]] to the competition's eventual winners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/matches/round=1637/match=1038266/postmatch/report/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205121543/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/matches/round=1637/match=1038266/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2013|title=Inter passage paved by Martins|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=19 March 2003|access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref> In the championship, he scored once in four appearances.<ref name=interstats/>

Martins signed a long-term contract with Inter Milan in 2005 which ran until 2010 and was worth around €2.5&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11860/2358387/Martins-signs-new-Inter-deal|title=Martins signs new Inter deal|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|author=Nadia Carminati|date=1 December 2005|access-date=4 March 2007}}</ref> He was also protagonist in team's successful run in [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]], scoring six goals, including a hat-trick against [[Bologna F.C. 1909|Bologna]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calcio.com/cronaca_partita/coppa-italia-2004-2005-achtelfinale-bologna-fc-inter/|title=Bologna 1:3 Inter|publisher=Calcio.com|language=it|date=12 January 2005|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref> as the tournament ended in conquest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inter.it/en/news/58655/tbt-2005-coppa-italia-triumph|title=#TBT: 2005 Coppa Italia triumph|publisher=inter.it|date=15 June 2017|access-date=13 October 2018|archive-date=13 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013053842/https://www.inter.it/en/news/58655/tbt-2005-coppa-italia-triumph|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/16/africannationscup2006.africannationscup1|title=Group D|work=The Guardian|author=Paul Doyle|date=16 January 2006|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref>

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 (sports)|loan]] from [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and then the Swede [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] was bought by Inter from [[Juventus FC|Juventus]].<ref name=AsksToLeaveInter>{{cite news | date=7 August 2006 | url= http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11860_2385460,00.htm | title = Martins asks to leave | publisher = [[Sky Sports]] | access-date=4 March 2007}}</ref>

===Newcastle United===
[[File:Oba Martins.JPG|170px|thumb|Martins warming up before a match]]
After Martins submitted a transfer request,<ref name=AsksToLeaveInter/> [[Premier League]] club [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] completed a deal with Inter for the striker on 24 August 2006 for €15&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nufc.co.uk/staticFiles/ea/3d/0,,10278~81386,00.pdf | title = Newcastle FC 2006 Annual Report | publisher = Newcastle FC | access-date = 3 August 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121002101544/http://www.nufc.co.uk/staticFiles/ea/3d/0%2C%2C10278~81386%2C00.pdf | archive-date = 2 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> 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 F.C.|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.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/5334604.stm | title=Be patient with Martins – Roeder | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date = 11 September 2006 | access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Butt and Martins.jpg|thumb|left|170px|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 F.C.|West Ham United]] at [[Boleyn Ground|Upton Park]], and from there his goalscoring form began to improve steadily.

Reports in January 2007 suggested that [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] were considering making an offer for Martins' services after his impressive form. These reports were later rubbished by Martins himself,<ref>{{cite news | date=11 January 2007 | url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=440846&CPID=8&clid=4&lid=&title=Martins+slams+Chelsea+links | title=Martins slams Chelsea links | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114000959/http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=440846&CPID=8&clid=4&lid=&title=Martins+slams+Chelsea+links |archive-date=14 January 2007 |first=Graeme |last=Bailey}}</ref> and Roeder stated that although he was interested in signing a Chelsea player, he would not allow Martins to leave Newcastle.<ref>{{cite news | date=28 January 2007 | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/2403733/ | title=Roeder admits Blues enquiry | publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |first=James |last=Pearson |access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref>

On 14 January, in a 3–2 away win against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], Martins' 20-yard shot rocketed into the net. This strike was clocked by [[Sky Sports]] at a speed of 84&nbsp;mph (135&nbsp;km/h), making it unofficially the ninth hardest shot ever recorded in football according to the ''Guardian'' website.<ref>{{Cite news | date=14 February 2007 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/14/theknowledge.sport | title=The hardest recorded shot in football – ever | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | access-date=4 March 2007 | location=London | first1=James | last1=Dart | first2 = Nicky | last2 = Bandini}}</ref> This was his tenth goal for Newcastle. Martins ended his first season on Tyneside with 17 goals in 46 games.

[[File:Obafemi Martins.png|thumb|right|170px|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/3993745.Martins_missing_for_Magpies_against_Spurs/|title=Martins missing for Magpies against Spurs|date=21 December 2008|access-date=29 December 2008|newspaper=The Northern Echo | first = Paul | last = Fraser}}</ref> He did make it back in time for the last two games of the season, scoring in a relegation six-pointer derby against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]. However, he could not stop Newcastle being relegated to the Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/news/story?id=607546&sec=england&cc=5739 | title = Toon striker Martins forced into hernia op | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 7 January 2009 | access-date = 7 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100105013606/http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/news/story?id=607546&sec=england&cc=5739 | archive-date = 5 January 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref> 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 F.C.|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===
On 29 July 2009, Newcastle accepted a £9&nbsp;million bid from [[Bundesliga]] champions [[VfL Wolfsburg]]. The transfer was confirmed on 31 July with Martins signing a four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news | date=31 July 2009 | url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_5464649,00.html | title=Wolfsburg seal Martins deal | publisher=Sky Sports | access-date=31 July 2009}}</ref> 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===
On 9 July 2010, Martins was sold for a reported €17&nbsp;million to reigning [[Russian Premier League]] champions [[FC Rubin Kazan|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8806226.stm|title=Nigeria's Obafemi Martins signs for Russian champions|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2010 |first=Oluwashina|last=Okeleji|access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sports.ru/football/71707662.html|script-title=ru:"Рубин" заплатил "Вольфсбургу" за Обафеми Мартинса 16 миллионов евро, срок контракта – 3 года|publisher=sports.ru|date=9 July 2010|language=ru | access-date = 3 August 2012}}</ref>

====Loan to Birmingham City====
[[File:Martinsbirmingham2011.png|150px|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://rubin-kazan.ru/en/news/club/1904.html |title=Martins will play in Birmingham City on loan |publisher=FC Rubin Kazan |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=31 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202091726/http://rubin-kazan.ru/en/news/club/1904.html |archive-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> On 31 January 2011, he joined Premier League club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on loan until the end of the season,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2279243,00.html |title=Blues complete Martins deal |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |access-date=31 January 2011 |date=31 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203034921/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2279243,00.html |archive-date=3 February 2011}}</ref> with the option of a £5&nbsp;million permanent deal in the summer of 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/2011/02/01/birmingham-city-fend-off-major-bid-as-they-land-obafemi-martins-97319-28090412/ |title=Birmingham City fend off major bid as they land Obafemi Martins |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |access-date=1 February 2011 |date=1 February 2011 | first = Colin | last = Tattum}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9392077.stm |title=Nigeria's Obafemi Martins set for Birmingham City debut  |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2011 |access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9391008.stm |title=Birmingham 1–0 Stoke |first=Les |last=Roopanarine |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2011 |access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club, 17 minutes into the FA Cup fifth-round defeat of [[Sheffield Wednesday]], after a strong run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/21/birmingham-city-sheffield-wednesday-fa-cup |title=Birmingham cruise leaves Gary Megson lamenting woeful Wednesday |first=David |last=Lacey |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=21 February 2011 |location=London}}</ref>

Martins scored the winning goal in the [[2011 Football League Cup Final]] as Birmingham beat [[Arsenal F.C|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theglobalherald.com/football-arsenal-1-2-birmingham-carling-cup-final-2011-result/12195/|title=Football: Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham, Carling Cup Final 2011 Result|work=The Global Herald|date=27 February 2011|access-date=27 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717000540/http://theglobalherald.com/football-arsenal-1-2-birmingham-carling-cup-final-2011-result/12195/|archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref> Martins described it as "the easiest goal I've ever scored in my career".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/886988/birmingham-city%27s-obafemi-martins-celebrates-%27easiest%27-goal?cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302103601/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/886988/birmingham-city%27s-obafemi-martins-celebrates-%27easiest%27-goal?cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2011 |title=Jubilant Martins celebrates victory |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=28 February 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://world.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2349296,00.html |title=Oba out for the season |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=29 April 2011 |access-date=28 February 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Levante===
[[File:Obafemi Martins.jpg|thumb|left|Martins (pictured with Levante in 2012) is known for [[Goal celebration|celebrating a goal]] with a [[Flip (acrobatic)|backflip]]]]
On 13 September 2012, Martins moved to [[Levante UD|Levante]] on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/2012/09/13/futbol/equipos/levante/1347523350.html |title=El Levante ya espera a Martins |publisher=Marca.com |access-date=13 September 2012 |date=13 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Oluwashina |last=Okeleji |title=Nigeria's Martins completes Levante move |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19428314 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Martins marks debut with winner | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=348466&cc=5739 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103010001/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=348466&cc=5739 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2013 |work=ESPN Soccernet |publisher=Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> Martins scored a brace for Levante in their 3–1 home victory over [[Granada CF|Granada]] on 28 October, sending his side into fourth place in the La Liga standings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/levante-3-1-granada-martins-double-puts-jims-men-fourth/ |title=Levante 3–1 Granada: Martins double puts JIM's men fourth |first=Heath |last=Chesters |website=Inside Spanish Football |date=28 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127005517/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/levante-3-1-granada-martins-double-puts-jims-men-fourth/ |archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

===Seattle Sounders FC===
[[File:Obafemi Martins at SeaTac Airport.jpg|thumb|right|150px|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 [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] club [[Seattle Sounders FC]] as a [[Designated Player]] after the club paid a $4&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adewuyi|first=Lolade|title=Obafemi Martins signs for Seattle Sounders|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/03/11/3784666/breaking-news-obafemi-martins-signs-for-seattle-sounders|publisher=GOAL.com|access-date=11 March 2013|date=11 March 2013}}</ref> On 15 March 2013, the club announced that the signing was official.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sounders FC Signs Nigerian Striker Obafemi Martins | url = http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2013/03-March/Sounders-FC-Signs-Nigerian-Striker-Obafemi-Martins.aspx | date = 15 March 2013 | access-date = 15 March 2013 | work = Seattle Sounders FC | publisher = Sounders FC Public Relations | archive-date = 18 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130318002706/http://www.soundersfc.com/news/articles/2013/03-march/sounders-fc-signs-nigerian-striker-obafemi-martins.aspx | url-status = dead }}</ref> Martins scored his first goal for the club on 20 April 2013, performing his signature back-flip goal celebration.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/obafemi-martins | title = Obafemi Martins | publisher = mlssoccer.com | access-date = 20 April 2013}}</ref>

On 24 October 2014, Martins signed a new three-year contract extension with Seattle, nearly doubling his annual salary to more than $3 million.<ref name="MLS extension">{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2107886/seattle-sounders-give-obafemi-martins-new-deal-worth-$3-million-a-year-sources |title=Sounders give Obafemi Martins deal worth $3 million a year, sources say |work=ESPNFC |date=24 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014 }}</ref> The following day, Martins provided an assist for [[Marco Pappa]]'s first goal as Seattle defeated the [[Los Angeles Galaxy|Galaxy]] 2–0 to win the [[Supporters' Shield]].<ref name="Seattle Times blog">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/10/25/first-impressions-sounders-2-galaxy-0/ |title=First impressions: Sounders 2, Galaxy 0 |work=Seattle Times |date=25 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014 }}</ref> 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]].<ref name="MLS extension" /><ref name="Seattle Times blog" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundersnation.com/2014/10/15/obafemi-martins-robbie-keane-race-mvp/ |title=Obafemi Martins, Robbie Keane Race For MVP |work=Sounders Nation |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014 }}</ref>

Martins had a very successful 2014 season with the Sounders, his second with the club, and was named as one of three [[Landon Donovan MVP Award|MLS MVP]] finalists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/20/robbie-keane-obafemi-martins-lee-nguyen-vie-mvp-mls-announces-awards-finalists |title=Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins, Lee Nguyen vie for MVP as MLS announces 2014 awards finalists |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=12 March 2015 |archive-date=21 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121140747/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/20/robbie-keane-obafemi-martins-lee-nguyen-vie-mvp-mls-announces-awards-finalists |url-status=dead }}</ref> Martins was named to the [[MLS Best XI]] and the Sounders won every game in which he scored.<ref name="MLS reveals 2014 Best XI">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/02/mls-reveals-2014-best-xi-headlined-landon-donovan-thierry-henry |title=MLS reveals 2014 Best XI |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=12 March 2015 |archive-date=24 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324035523/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/02/mls-reveals-2014-best-xi-headlined-landon-donovan-thierry-henry |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[San Jose Earthquakes|Earthquakes]] keeper [[Jon Busch]].<ref name="mlssoccer.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/gotw/goty2014|title=2014 Goal of the Year Winner: Obafemi Martins|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919122606/http://www.mlssoccer.com/gotw/goty2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Shanghai Shenhua===
On 18 February 2016, Martins was signed for [[Chinese Super League]] side [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35573893 | title = Obafemi Martins leaves MLS for Chinese Super League | website = BBC Sport | date = 18 February 2016 | access-date = 21 February 2016}}</ref> On 15 May 2016, he scored his first goal with Shanghai as a late substitute in a 5–1 win over [[Guangzhou R&F]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sports/soccer/Shenhua-punishes-RF-51/shdaily.shtml | title = Shenhua punishes R&F 5-1 | website = Shanghai Daily | date = 16 May 2016 | access-date = 21 May 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name=2017CFACup>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42130472 |title=Nigeria's Obafemi Martins helps Shenhua win Chinese FA Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2017 |access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref>

On 31 March 2018, Martins scored his first hat-trick for Shenhua in a 4–2 home win against [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-03-31/doc-ifysunqz6308106.shtml|title=中超-马丁斯戴帽瓜林建功 申花4-2逆转华夏取连胜|publisher=Sina Sport |date=31 March 2018 |access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-04-04/doc-ifysuuya5308315.shtml|title=申花公布马丁斯伤情:肌腱部分断裂 康复需6-7个月|publisher=Sina Sport |date=4 April 2018 |access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> On 1 June 2018 it was announced that Martins had been waived from Shenhua.<ref>{{cite web | title = 登巴巴回归申花在即 马丁斯已解约注册无障碍  | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-06-01/doc-ihcikcew1900340.shtml | publisher = sina.com | date=1 June 2018 | access-date=25 October 2018 | language = zh}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50360479|title=Obafemi Martins: Nigeria star not contemplating retirement yet| website = BBC Sport | date = 9 November 2019 | access-date = 11 November 2019 | first = Oluwashina  | last = Okeleji}}</ref>

===Return to Shanghai Shenhua===
On 15 July 2020, it was announced that Martins had returned to [[Chinese Super League]] side [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]].<ref>{{cite web |title=空翻王回归!申花官宣马丁斯加盟 17年足协杯立大功 |url=https://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2020-07-15/doc-iivhuipn3170785.shtml |website=sports.sina.com.cn |date=15 July 2020}}</ref>

===Wuhan Zall===
On 20 September 2020, after his Shanghai Shenhua contract was terminated, Martins joined Chinese Super League club [[Wuhan F.C.|Wuhan Zall]] on a short-term deal until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.owngoalnigeria.com/2020/09/18/shanghai-shenhua-terminates-obafemi-martinss-contract-one-month-after-signing-him-for-free/ |title=Shanghai Shenhua terminates Obafemi Martins's contract one month after signing him for free |website=Own Goal Nigeria |date=18 September 2020 |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.yqqlm.com/2020/09/reportermartins-has-arrived-in-the-suzhou-division-and-is-expected-to-play-against-chongqing/ |title=Reporter:Martins has arrived in the Suzhou Division and is expected to play against Chongqing |publisher=YQQLM |date=20 September 2020 |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>

==International career==
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.<ref>{{Cite news | date=30 May 2004 | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3762457.stm | title=Martins delighted with debut | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> 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 national football team|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 [[Nigeria Football Association|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.<ref>{{Cite news | date=4 August 2006 | url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/sports/august05/04082005/sp104082005.html | title=NFA embarrasses Obafemi Martins, ridicules Nigeria | publisher= Vanguard | access-date=4 March 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061031063329/http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/sports/august05/04082005/sp104082005.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 31 October 2006}}</ref>

On 6 February 2007, Martins failed to turn up for the 4–1 friendly defeat against [[Ghana national football team|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.<ref>{{Cite news | date=7 February 2007 | url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6339843.stm | title=Martins no-show for sick mother | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>
The Nigerian caretaker coach [[Augustine Eguavoen]] was furious with Martins and threatened to ban him from the national team.<ref>{{cite news | date=9 February 2007 | url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6345871.stm | title=Nigeria get tough on Martins | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=25 May 2011 | first=Oluwashina | last=Okeleji}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news | date=14 February 2007 | url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6360583.stm | title=Martins sorry for Nigeria no-show | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref> He made his return to the national side on 24 March 2007, playing the full match against [[Uganda national football team|Uganda]] in an [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|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 national football team|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.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=199817/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101224171037/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=199817/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 24 December 2010 | title = 2010 FIFA World Cup – Obafemi MARTINS | publisher = FIFA.com | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref> In the first group game, he came on as a 52nd-minute substitute for [[Victor Obinna]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300061460/index.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101219080430/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300061460/index.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 19 December 2010 | title = Argentina 1:0 (1:0) Nigeria | publisher = FIFA.com | date = 12 June 2010 | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref> In the third game he was used as a 57th-minute substitute for [[Nwankwo Kanu]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300111115/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101227101225/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300111115/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 27 December 2010 | title = Nigeria 2:2 (1:1) Korea Republic | publisher = FIFA.com | date = 22 June 2010 | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref> Nigeria exited the tournament bottom of [[2010 FIFA World Cup Group B|Group B]] with only one point.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/teams/team=43876/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101206053705/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/teams/team=43876/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 December 2010 | title = Nigeria | publisher = FIFA.com | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref>

==Style of play==
[[File:Obafemi Martins defended by LA Galaxy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2005/02/04/martins-scatti-gol-timidezza-le-mie-capriole.html|title=Martins, scatti gol e timidezza Le mie capriole per Mancini|trans-title=Martins, sprints goals and shyness My back-flips for Mancini|publisher=La Repubblica|author1=Andrea Sorrentino|language=it|date=4 February 2005|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/maggio/04/acrobazie_Martins_non_svegliano_Inter_co_5_030504023.shtml|title=Le acrobazie di Martins non svegliano l' Inter|trans-title=Martins's acrobatics don't wake Inter up|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|first=Mario |last=Gherarducci|language=it|date=4 May 2003|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Alessandro |last=Di Gioia |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/che-fine-ha-fatto-oba-oba-martins-dalla-champions-sfiorata-con-l-77399 |title=Che fine ha fatto? 'Oba Oba' Martins, dalla Champions sfiorata con l'Inter al ritorno dopo due anni... in Cina! |website=calciomercato |language=it |date=29 March 2020 |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606133732/https://www.calciomercato.com/news/che-fine-ha-fatto-oba-oba-martins-dalla-champions-sfiorata-con-l-77399 |archive-date=6 June 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://socqer.com/questions/839/how-did-nigerias-obafemi-martins-brother-die/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315221908/http://socqer.com/questions/839/how-did-nigerias-obafemi-martins-brother-die/ | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 15 March 2012 | title = How Did Nigeria's Obafemi Martins' Brother Die? | publisher = Socqer.com | date = 10 August 2011 | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/martins%E2%80%99-brother-dies-of-heart-problem/ | title = Martins' Brother Dies of Heart Problem |newspaper = Vanguard |location=Lagos, Nigeria | date = 9 August 2011 | access-date =9 March 2025}}</ref> Martins' younger brother is John Ronan Martins. The name "Obafemi" translates literally to "the king loves me" in the [[Yoruba language]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nigerian.name/w/index.php?title=Obafemi | title = Meaning of Obafemi | publisher = Nigerian.name | access-date =3 August 2012}}</ref>

Martins received his [[Permanent residence (United States)|U.S. green card]] in 2015 which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sounderatheart.com/2015/12/17/10454458/obafemi-martins-indeed-has-a-green-card | title = Obafemi Martins indeed has a green card | website = sounderatheart.com | date = 17 December 2015 | access-date = 27 December 2015 | first = Jeremiah | last = Oshan | archive-date = 20 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151220234919/http://www.sounderatheart.com/2015/12/17/10454458/obafemi-martins-indeed-has-a-green-card | url-status = dead }}</ref>

He is married to Ghanaian Abigail Barwuah, the sister of [[Mario Balotelli]]. The couple have one child, born in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gossip.it/news/mario-balotelli-nipote-swag-news.html | title = Mario Barwuah NON C’è sono negri italiani non ha dubbi: 'Mio nipote è swag'. Il calciatore innamorato del figlio di Abigail Barwuah e Obafemi Martins, Kendrick | language = it | website = gossip.it | date = 15 October 2015 | access-date = 7 April 2016}}</ref>

His elder son [[Kevin Martins]] (b. 2005) followed in his footsteps and became a youth international for Italy.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/kevin-martins-il-figlio-di-oba-oba-gia-protagonista-allinter/2o9uypx0j0pg1gw320tzqsyxu | title = Kevin Martins, il figlio di Oba Oba già protagonista all'Inter | language = it | website = Goal.com | date = 16 December 2020 | access-date = 2 January 2021}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="Obafemi Martins">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe19509/obafemi-martins/club-matches/ |title=Obafemi Martins: Club matches |website=WorldFootball.net |date=15 July 2020 |publisher=HeimSpiel Medien |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/obafemi-martins/4466/ |title=O. Martins |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Coppa Italia]], [[FA Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]], [[Russian Cup (football)|Russian Cup]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[U.S. Open Cup]], [[Chinese FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.carrierecalciatori.it/it/giocatori/15069-Obafemi%20Martins |title=Statistiche su Martins Obafemi |website=Carriere Calciatori |language=it |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>
|2000–01
|[[Lega Pro Prima Divisione|Serie C1]]
|2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[2001–02 Inter Milan season|2001–02]]
|[[Serie A]]
|0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Inter Milan season|2002–03]]
|Serie A
|4||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||2||colspan="2"|—||10||3
|-
|[[2003–04 Inter Milan season|2003–04]]
|Serie A
|25||7||3||1||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and two goals in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||3||colspan="2"|—||37||11
|-
|[[2004–05 Inter Milan season|2004–05]]
|Serie A
|31||11||6||6||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||5||colspan="2"|—||46||22
|-
|[[2005–06 Inter Milan season|2005–06]]
|Serie A
|28||9||5||2||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||1{{efn|name=Supercoppa|Appearance in [[Supercoppa Italiana]]}}||0||43||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!88!!28!!16!!9!!colspan="2"|—!!31!!12!!1!!0!!136!!49
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2006–07 Newcastle United F.C. season|2006–07]]
|[[Premier League]]
|33||11||2||0||2||0||9{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}||6||colspan="2"|—||46||17
|-
|[[2007–08 Newcastle United F.C. season|2007–08]]
|Premier League
|31||9||0||0||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||10
|-
|[[2008–09 Newcastle United F.C. season|2008–09]]
|Premier League
|24||8||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!88!!28!!2!!0!!5!!1!!9!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!104!!35
|-
|[[VfL Wolfsburg]]
|[[2009–10 VfL Wolfsburg season|2009–10]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
||16||6||1||0||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||25||7
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]
|[[2010 FC Rubin Kazan season|2010]]
|[[Russian Premier League]]
||12||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||17||2
|-
|[[2011–12 FC Rubin Kazan season|2011–12]]
|Russian Premier League
||8||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and two goals in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||2||colspan="2"|—||17||3
|-
|[[2012–13 FC Rubin Kazan season|2012–13]]
|Russian Premier League
|0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=RSC|Appearance in [[Russian Super Cup]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesr/rus2012.html#sup |title=Russia 2011/12: Russian Super Cup 2012 |first=Mike |last=Dryomin |publisher=RSSSF |date=14 October 2021 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>}}||0||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!20!!3!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!13!!2!!1!!0!!35!!5
|-
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
|[[2010–11 Birmingham City F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|4||0||1||1||1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||2
|-
|[[Levante UD|Levante]]
|[[2012–13 Levante UD season|2012–13]]
|[[La Liga]]
|21||7||3||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||2||colspan="2"|—||27||9
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Seattle Sounders FC]]
|[[2013 Seattle Sounders FC season|2013]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|20||8||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=MLS|Appearance(s) in [[MLS Cup playoffs]]}}||0||22||8
|-
|[[2014 Seattle Sounders FC season|2014]]
|Major League Soccer
|31||17||2||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||37||19
|-
|[[2015 Seattle Sounders FC season|2015]]
|Major League Soccer
|21||15||1||1||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||25||16
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!72!!40!!4!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!8!!0!!84!!43
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Shanghai Shenhua]]
|[[2016 Chinese Super League|2016]]
|[[Chinese Super League]]
|26||9||5||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||15
|-
|[[2017 Chinese Super League|2017]]
|Chinese Super League
|13||7||7||6||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=ACL|Appearance(s) in [[AFC Champions League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||21||13
|-
|[[2018 Chinese Super League|2018]]
|Chinese Super League
|1||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=ACL}}||1||1{{efn|name=CFASC|Appearance in [[Chinese FA Super Cup]]}}||0||7||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!40!!19!!12!!12!!colspan="2"|—!!6!!1!!1!!0!!59!!32
|-
|Shanghai Shenhua
|[[2020 Chinese Super League|2020]]
|Chinese Super League
|4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|[[Wuhan F.C.|Wuhan]]
|[[2020 Chinese Super League|2020]]
|Chinese Super League
|6||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!361!!132!!40!!25!!6!!2!!70!!24!!11!!0!!488!!183
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="RSSSF Int Goals">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/obmartins-intlg.html |title=Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins - Goals in International Matches |first=Roberto |last=Mamrud |publisher=RSSSF |date=6 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="12" |[[Nigeria national football team|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
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!42!!18
|}

:''Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Martins goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Obafemi Martins<ref name="RSSSF Int Goals" />
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Refs|References}}
|-
| style="text-align:center"|1 || 29 May 2004 || [[The Valley (stadium)|The Valley]], London, England || {{fb|IRL}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || [[Exhibition game#International football|Friendly]]
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30149960.html |title=Ireland subjected to humbling defeat |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=29 May 2004 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|2 || rowspan="2"|5 June 2004 || rowspan="2"|[[National Stadium, Abuja|National Stadium]], [[Abuja]], Nigeria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|RWA}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group 4|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3777459.stm |title=Group Four results |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|3 || style="text-align:center"|2–0
|-
| style="text-align:center"|4 || 5 June 2005 || [[Amahoro Stadium]], [[Kigali]], Rwanda || {{fb|RWA}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/rwanda-v-nigeria-05-june-2005-254541/ |title=Rwanda v Nigeria, 05 June 2005 |website=11v11 |publisher=Association of Football Statisticians |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|5 || 17 August 2005 || [[Tripoli Stadium]], [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]], Libya || {{fb|LBY}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || Friendly
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4160846.stm |title=Live: qualifiers and friendlies |website=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2005 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|6 || rowspan="2"|4 September 2005 || rowspan="2"|[[Ahmed Zabana Stadium]], [[Oran]], Algeria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ALG}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–2 || rowspan="2"|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlinenigeria.com/nm/templates/?a=5184 |title=Hail new Nigeria! |first=Ademola |last=Olajire |website=Online Nigeria |date=12 September 2005 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|7 || style="text-align:center"|4–2
|-
| style="text-align:center"|8 || rowspan="2" | 8 October 2005 || rowspan="2" | National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || rowspan="2" | {{fb|ZIM}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–1 || rowspan="2" | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlinenigeria.com/nm/templates/?a=5503 |title=Nigeria out of Germany 2006 |website=Online Nigeria |date=9 October 2005 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|9 || style="text-align:center"|3–1
|-
| style="text-align:center"|10 || rowspan="2"|31 January 2006 || rowspan="2"|[[Port Said Stadium]], [[Port Said]], Egypt || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SEN}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–1 || rowspan="2"|[[2006 Africa Cup of Nations]]
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/01/31/africa.nations/ |title=Martins gives Nigeria comeback win |website=CNN.com |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|11 || style="text-align:center"|2–1
|-
| style="text-align:center"|12 || rowspan="2"|14 October 2007 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez]], [[Ciudad Juárez]], Mexico || rowspan="2"|{{fb|MEX}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-mexico-2-nigeria-2-2007/140184917/ |title=Mexico rallies to tie Nigeria, 2–2 |first=John |last=Erfort |newspaper=El Paso Times |date=15 October 2007 |page=1C |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|13 || style="text-align:center"|2–0
|-
| style="text-align:center"|14 || rowspan="2"|14 November 2009 || rowspan="2"|[[Moi International Sports Centre]], [[Nairobi]], Kenya || rowspan="2"|{{fb|KEN}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–2 || rowspan="2"|[[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF third round|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2009/11/14/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/kenya/nigeria/732560/ |title=Kenya vs. Nigeria 2–3 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|15 || style="text-align:center"|3–2
|-
| style="text-align:center"|16 || 20 January 2010 || [[Estádio Nacional da Tundavala]], [[Lubango]], Angola || {{fb|MOZ}} || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations Group C|2010 Africa Cup of Nations]]
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/nigeria-reach-last-eight-20100120 |title=Nigeria reach last eight |website=News24 (South Africa) |date=20 January 2010 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|17 || 6 June 2010 || [[Makhulong Stadium]], [[Tembisa]], South Africa || {{fb|PRK}} || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || Friendly
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2023/09/600_67192.html |title=Nigeria defeats N. Korea in World Cup sparring session |newspaper=The Korea Times |date=6 June 2020 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|18 || 5 September 2010 || [[U.J. Esuene Stadium]], [[Calabar]], Nigeria || {{fb|MAD}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]]
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/09/05/eagles-beat-madagascar-2-0/ |title=Eagles beat Madagascar 2–0 |website=P.M. News |date=5 September 2010 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
|}

==Honours==
'''Inter Milan'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[Serie A]]: [[2005–06 Serie A|2005–06]]
* [[Coppa Italia]]: [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|2004–05]], [[2006 Coppa Italia Final|2005–06]]
* [[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2005 Supercoppa Italiana|2005]]
'''Birmingham City'''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[Football League Cup]]: [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]]

'''Rubin Kazan'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[Russian Cup (football)|Russian Cup]]: [[2011–12 Russian Cup|2011–12]]
* [[Russian Super Cup]]: [[2012 Russian Super Cup|2012]]

'''Seattle Sounders FC'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[MLS Supporters' Shield]]: [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014]]
* [[U.S. Open Cup]]: [[2014 U.S. Open Cup Final|2014]]

'''Shanghai Shenhua'''<ref name=2017CFACup/>
* [[Chinese FA Cup]]: [[2017 Chinese FA Cup|2017]]
'''Nigeria'''
*[[Africa Cup of Nations]] third place: [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/tables/04a.html | title = African Nations Cup 2004 | website = RSSSF | date = 15 December 2006 | access-date = 22 November 2020 | first1 = Barrie | last1 = Courtney | first2 = Julián | last2 = Díaz Rubio | first3 = Hamdan | last3 = Saaid | first4 = Karel | last4 = Stokkermans | first5 = Martín | last5 = Tabeira}}</ref>
'''Individual'''
* [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] Most Promising Talent of the Year: 2003, 2004<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=%2FR3WaZKROVJ6wGZ8srjnDQ%3D%3D |title= Iheanacho adjudged Most Promising Talent |publisher=Confederation of African Football |date=9 January 2014 | access-date = 27 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[MLS Best XI]]: 2014<ref name="MLS reveals 2014 Best XI"/>
* [[MLS Goal of the Year]]: 2014<ref name="mlssoccer.com"/>
* [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game|2015]]<ref name="AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|title=Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara among 22 players named to 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=20 July 2015|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921022035/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Chinese FA Cup]]: Top Goalscorer: [[2017 Chinese FA Cup|2017]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/cfacup/2017-03-18/doc-ifycnpit2261843.shtml | title = 2017足协杯射手榜 | language = zh | website = sports.sina.com.cn | date = 18 March 2017 | access-date = 24 December 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{portal-inline|Football in Africa}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Soccerway|new_id=martins-obafemi/CzhYpeNf|id=obafemi-martins/4466|archive=20250125173904}}
* {{NFT player}}
* {{Instagram}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year}}
{{MLS Goal of the Year}}
{{2014 MLS Best XI}}
{{Chinese FA Cup top scorers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Nigeria squads
| bg = #008751
| fg = White
| bordercolor = 
| list1 = 
{{Nigeria squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martins, Obafemi}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Age controversies]]
[[Category:Footballers from Lagos]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Yoruba sportspeople]]
[[Category:Nigerian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Nigeria men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia]]
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[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China]]
[[Category:AC Reggiana 1919 players]]
[[Category:Inter Milan players]]
[[Category:Newcastle United F.C. players]]
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[[Category:FC Rubin Kazan players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Levante UD footballers]]
[[Category:Seattle Sounders FC players]]
[[Category:Shanghai Shenhua F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wuhan Yangtze River F.C. players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Russian Premier League players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Chinese Super League players]]
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in China]]
[[Category:F.C. Ebedei players]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen]]