Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian former professional footballer who made his name as a forward with blistering pace and acrobatic goal celebrations. He is best remembered for his time at Inter Milan, where he broke through as a teenager, and for scoring the winning goal in the 2011 League Cup final for Birmingham City.

Martins' career spanned Italy, England, Germany, Russia, Spain, the United States, and China. He won the Serie A title with Inter in 2006, the Coppa Italia twice, and the Supercoppa Italiana twice. In Major League Soccer, he lit up the league with Seattle Sounders FC, scoring 40 goals in 72 appearances. He also represented Nigeria at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Now retired, Martins remains a beloved figure in Nigerian football, known for his somersault celebrations and his journey from the streets of Lagos to the top of European football. [edit]

Martins grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, in a football-loving family. He was discovered while playing football in the street, when a coach spotted his raw talent and encouraged him to join a local club. He started his career with F.C. Ebedei, a local side, before moving to Italy at the age of 16.

In 2000, Martins signed with Reggiana, an Italian club, where he began his professional development. His performances caught the attention of Inter Milan, who signed him in 2001 for a reported £750,000. He spent his early years in Inter's youth system, scoring 23 goals for the youth team and helping them win the Italian Under-18 title.

Martins made his senior debut for Inter in December 2002 and quickly became a regular in the first team. His first Champions League goal came against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a strike that secured Inter's place in the quarter-finals. UEFA even used footage of his celebratory somersaults to advertise the following season's competition. [edit]

Martins' breakthrough at Inter Milan was rapid. In the 2002-03 season, he became a key part of the squad, playing around 100 matches and scoring 39 goals for the first team. He won the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup twice each, and was part of the squad that claimed the Serie A title in 2005-06.

In August 2006, Martins moved to Newcastle United in the Premier League for €15 million, signing a five-year contract. Despite a knee injury early on, he scored his first goal in September 2006 and went on to score 28 goals in 88 league games for the club.

After a brief spell with VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, Martins moved to Rubin Kazan in Russia for €17 million in 2010. The following January, he joined Birmingham City on loan and scored the winning goal in the 2011 League Cup final. He then had a short stint with Levante in Spain before finding his groove in Major League Soccer with Seattle Sounders FC from 2013 to 2015, where he scored 40 goals in 72 appearances. He finished his career in China with Shanghai Shenhua and Wuhan Zall. [edit]

Martins was widely recognized for his electrifying pace and dynamic playing style. Media often highlighted his speed, strength, and goal-scoring prowess. His signature style was characterized by explosive runs and acrobatic celebrations, which made him a fan favorite wherever he played.

His Instagram handle, @obagoal, reflects his nickname and his engaging personality. Fans remember him for his joyful approach to the game and his ability to produce moments of magic. [edit]

Obafemi Martins commands a distinct global footprint, his name resonating across continents where professional football has left its mark. In the August 2026 cycle of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which tracks attention through media coverage and consumption signals worldwide, he holds two specific placements that define his current standing. He is recognized as the 31st most famous person from Nigeria, a position he has maintained steadily from the previous assessment. This ranking places him firmly among the nation's most prominent figures in sports and culture. Beyond national boundaries, his career trajectory ensures visibility in multiple leagues, though no broader global ordinal rank was assigned to him in this cycle. His fanbase remains organic and widespread rather than formally organized; research confirms there is no official or documented name for his supporters, who generally identify him by his nickname "Femi" or simply as a legend of the Super Eagles. While he maintains an active social media presence and operates personal ventures like the Obafemi Martins Foundation, there are no records of fan-funded projects, subway ads, or organized streaming chart pushes attributed to a distinct group identity dedicated solely to him.[edit]

Martins was renowned for his somersault goal celebrations, a trademark that became instantly recognizable across Europe and beyond. He frequently asserted during his prime that he was the fastest player on the pitch, a claim that bolstered his reputation for explosive pace. Scouted while playing street football in Nigeria, his journey from humble beginnings to international stardom remains a central part of his biography. He earned 42 caps for the Nigerian national team, contributing 18 goals before retiring from international duty. During his tenure at Newcastle United, supporters christened him 'Obagoal', a moniker that followed him throughout his career. He holds the rare distinction of scoring in six different top-tier leagues: the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Major League Soccer, and the Chinese Super League. In the annals of MLS history, his 2015 season with Seattle Sounders FC stands out as perhaps the most prolific in the club's record, where he netted 17 goals in just 31 appearances. This campaign featured a celebrated wonder goal that cemented his status as a world-class striker. His legacy also includes a high-profile transfer to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in February 2016 after finishing as a runner-up for the Volkswagen MVP award, a move supported by former teammate Clint Dempsey who called him one of his favorite teammates.[edit]

Martins was raised with his two brothers, Oladipupo and John Ronan. His elder brother, Oladipupo, was also a footballer who played for Reggiana and other European clubs before retiring in 2009 due to heart problems. Oladipupo died of a suspected heart attack in August 2011.

Martins keeps his personal life relatively private, but he has spoken about the importance of family in his career. He has children, though details are not widely publicized. [edit]

Martins played alongside some of the best in the world at Inter Milan, including Javier Zanetti and Adriano. At Newcastle, he formed a partnership with Michael Owen. He also played under managers like Roberto Mancini and Sam Allardyce. [edit]

Obafemi Martins has kept his personal life largely out of the spotlight. There is limited public information about his romantic relationships. He has never been publicly linked to any high-profile partners, and he has not confirmed any long-term relationships.

As of 2026, Martins appears to be single, but he has not shared details about his current relationship status. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Obafemi Martins' net worth at $15 Million. This figure reflects a career spanning over two decades, marked by lucrative contracts across Europe, the United States, and China. At the height of his popularity with Newcastle United, he commanded a reported weekly wage of £60,000. His subsequent transfer to Rubin Kazan involved a fee of €17 million, underscoring his value on the European market. Later, he secured a multi-year agreement with Seattle Sounders FC in the United States, further diversifying his income streams. His time in China with Shanghai Shenhua added significant earnings, given the region's reputation for high salaries in football. Additional revenue flowed through endorsement deals and public appearances, complementing his primary athletic earnings. Although he has not publicly engaged in major business ventures outside of his foundation and personal investments, his accumulated wealth from professional football provides a secure financial foundation for his retirement.[edit]

Martins won the Serie A title with Inter Milan in 2005-06, along with two Coppa Italia trophies and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. He also won the English League Cup with Birmingham City in 2011. [edit]