Obafemi Martins
When in March 2013, Obafemi Matins moved to the United States to join Seattle Sounders, some felt it was a wrong move; that he was still good enough to play in the main stream of European football, and that by pitching tent with the Major League Soccer, he had shot himself on the foot for any invitation to the national team of Nigeria. However, after almost three years in America, Obagol is now looking in the direction of China. Kunle Adewale asks if this move is a parting shot to the former Inter Milan of Italy’s football career
Though, Seattle Sounders’ General Manager, Garth Lagerwey has consistently claimed that Martins’ transfer to China had not yet been finalised, the Nigerian international is believed to have his eyes on joining Shanghai Shenhua and sources close to the player insisted on Monday night that Martins was waiting for his entry visa to China to complete his move to the Chinese Super League.
“Martins is only waiting for his visa to fly out to China. It’s a done deal and he is very excited about it,” revealed the source.
Martins’ American Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders and Shanghai Shenhua are yet to announce the transfer, and Lagerwey confirmed that Martins was not with the club at training camp in Walnut, California.
"It could take a while to have that (transfer) resolved. And there's really nothing we can add at this point," said the top official of the MLS club.
Martins’ American Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders and Shanghai Shenhua are yet to announce the transfer, and Lagerwey confirmed that Martins was not with the club at training camp in Walnut, California.
"It could take a while to have that (transfer) resolved. And there's really nothing we can add at this point," said the top official of the MLS club.
Lagerwey said that the club hopes to know more in the coming days, and that this situation didn't change how the club train and prepares for this week's CCL match with Club America.
"We'll do what we need to do; we have contingency plans. If that third DP spot opens up, it gives us a lot more roster flexibility and the ability to implement our long-term vision for this team," he said.
All of this makes Martins' departure sound rather certain, but Lagerwey dangled the possibility that the deal could fall through: "If it doesn't, then we'll have Obafemi Martins back and that'll be a good thing, too."
The American Major League Soccer cannot compare with major leagues in Europe. MLS has served as haven for ageing football stars in their quest to have a befitting football ending career and the list of these players is endless. So, when in 2013, Obafemi Matins moved to America to join Seattle Sounders, many felt it was the end of his national team career, considering that most Super Eagles coaches are not favourable to extending invitations to player plying their trade in the MLS.
However, erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, at the twilight of his reign as national team coach invited the former Newcastle of England striker but he was not convincing after two matches and that rested the clamour for Martins’ call.
Almost two years after his last call, ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier game against Swaziland, Super Eagles Chief coach, Sunday Oliseh surprising invited the 31 year old striker. With his move to China it would be shocking if an invitation is still extended to him in spite of the dwindling state of the senior national team.
Martins himself admitted that he was shocked on his recall to the Super Eagles during last year’s World Cup qualifier.
“It was a bit of a shock, but a nice shock. I’m very happy; because I have always worked hard, supported and respected all the players picked by the coaches. I thank coach Oliseh for this great opportunity. I’m just looking forward to going out there and playing for Nigeria again,” he told BBC Sports.
Prior to his last invitation, the former Levante of Spain striker admitted in an interview with FIFA.com that the MLS could not compare with the top League of Europe, while also conceding that at 30, his speed had slowed down considerably.
“When you talk about those leagues in Europe, (Premier League, the German Bundesliga and Serie A), you’re talking about deep, long history. They have all the tradition that comes with years and years. So, you can’t just compare a league like MLS to those leagues. It’s not fair. It’s growing fast, maybe faster than any other league in the world. More teams are coming in all the time and players, friends of mine from Europe, want to come here now. You can see it getting better every year. And the fans in Seattle, they are some of the best I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Reacting to a question on his pace which used to be his greatest assert, Martins said, “I’ve slowed down some and so I have to adapt the way I play. It’s fine, though, because I like to play with the ball, to have it at my feet. When it’s time to run and get up the pitch fast, I can still do that too, though,” he said.
On March 15, 2013, Seattle Sounders FC announced the signing of Martins from Levante after the club paid a $4 million buyout clause in Martins' contract with Levante. He scored his first goal for the club on April 20, 2013.
On October 2014, Martins signed a new three-year contract extension with Seattle, nearly doubling his annual salary to more than $3 million. The following day, Martins provided an assist for the first goal as Seattle defeated the Galaxy 2–0 to win the Supporters Shield. 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.
He was a part of the Nigerian team that finished third in the 2006 African Cup of Nations scoring scored two goals in the competition, both coming against Senegal in the first round.
His future for the national team has been placed in doubt on numerous occasions after separate incidents of controversy. In August 2006, the (NFA) website had his date of birth down as May1 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.
Martins is one of Nigeria’s most traveled players having played in England, Italy, Germany, Russia, Spain and most recently the United States of America.
His move to China is however seen as a final goodbye to the national team.
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