Tag: MARTINS

•Pockets $3m yearly

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins is ranked 11th among the top paid players in the MLS with a basic take-home of three million dollars ($3,000,00) a year.

He is ranked as the second highest paid in Seattle Sounders behind US international Clint Dempsey, who pockets over four million dollars ($4,605,941.50).

Former Birmingham City forward Martins is the highest paid African player in the MLS with Montreal Impact’s Didier Drogba earning just over two million dollar ($2,166,668).

Highest paid player in MLS is Kaka of Orlando City FC, who goes home every year with $7,167,500.

Nigerian-born Switzerland international Innocent Emeghara gets $1.3 million a year.

Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins has not ruled out a Nigeria return, but admitted he is focusing on his MLS club career.

Martins was called up just once in the last three years, against Kenya, in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. But Martins is not closing the door on the Super Eagles just yet.

“Things have changed at home and if the new coach [Sunday Oliseh] said he wants me to play for Nigeria again, I’d jump at the chance,” Martins told BBC Sport.

“The opportunity to represent a country of over 170 million people doesn’t come often and I will never turn it down. But right now I’m just focusing on giving my best to Seattle Sounders and take it from there.”

It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Martins – who scored 18 goals in 39 internationals for Nigeria – had retired from international football after falling out with ex-coach Stephen Keshi.

But the 30-year-old who made a scoring debut for Nigeria in May 2004 against the Republic of Ireland – has no desire to hang up his international boots and believes he still has a lot to offer the three-time African champions.

“I am a Nigerian and playing for my country is always an honour,” he said.

” I never announced my retirement, as wrongly reported. I was a bit disappointed to be treated like a Nigeria outcast but it was not enough to push me into an early retirement.

“I know if I have a good, successful season with Sounders and Nigeria come calling, fair enough. If they don’t, then hopefully I’ll have something big to celebrate in Major League Soccer.”

Martins, who began his career in Nigeria with FC Ebedei, has played in Italy, England, Russia and Spain, as well as the US.

After scoring 46 goals in 125 matches for Inter Milan, he joined the African exodus to the English Premier League, signing for Newcastle in 2006.

Despite scoring 35 goals in three seasons, the Nigerian’s time on Tyneside was not a roaring success and he switched to German outfit VFL Wolfsburg in July 2009.

After struggling to settle down in the German top flight, he quit after just one season and headed to Rubin Kazan in Russia in a deal worth £7m ($11m). But his time at Rubin was blighted by injuries and loss of form, forcing him to switch to Spanish side Levante. He scored nine goals in 29 appearances for Levante before moving to the MLS in March 2012.

Since moving to Seattle, he has scored 35 goals and made 20 assists in 71 appearances for the club.

Nigeria and Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins has promised to return to action as soon as possible despite being ruled out for three to six weeks after suffering adductor (hip) injury.

The former Inter Milan forward was injured in a US Open Cup game Tuesday night as the defending champions Sounders crashed out by losing to Portland Timbers 3-1 after extra time. He then underwent an MRI the following day which revealed the extent of the injury.

The 30-year-old thanks his fans for their love and kind word following his injury.

“Thank you so much to the supporters for all the love and kind words. See you soon,” he twitted.

The former Newcastle United striker only recently came back from a broken nose and has also missed time with a fibial contusion this year.

Martins’ injury will be a huge loss for the Sounders for the next month and a half to two months, especially as strike partner, Clint Dempsey has been suspended for three games by Major League Soccer and fined after he tore up the referee’s notebook during the U.S. Open Cup game.

Martins, who arrived in Seattle back in March 2013 from Levante and made an immediate impact, has established himself one of the most dangerous players in the league with his speed, skill and goal scoring ability.

Despite being limited to 12 appearances across all competitions this season, Martins has scored eight goals to go along with four assists.

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins has added a goal to his haul to remain top of the MLS goal scorers’ chart after he netted his seventh goal of the season as Seattle Sounders lost 3-2 at Columbus Crew.

‘Oba’, as he is fondly called scored Sounders second goal in the 75th minute to raise his team’s hopes of getting something out of the game.

Clint Dempsey scored the other goal for Sounders.

The former Inter Milan striker, who has been linked with a sensational return to England with English Championship winners AFC Bournemouth, has won Goal of the Week Award in the MLS twice and Player of the Week once this term.

He netted 17 goals last season.

Seattle Sounders marksman Obafemi Martins is in contention for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Week Award for the latest round matches played in the top division in the United States (US).

In his bid to win the award, the former Nigeria international is up against teammate Lamar Neagle and Mehdi Ballouchy of New York City.

Columbus Crew SC’s Federico Higuaín and Toronfo FC’s Sebastian Giovinco complete the five – man shortlist.

The winner will be voted on by fans on the official website of the MLS before the deadline of 23:59 hours on Thursday, April 23.

Last season, Martins was nominated for the Goal of the Week award four times.

Obafemi Martins was on target for the second week running, helping Seattle Sounders to a 3-1 victory over Colorado Rapids in the MLS.

A brace from Lamar Neagle put Sounders two 2-1 ahead of their host but with the home side piling on the pressure for an equaliser, Martins put the game beyond their reach with his side’s third with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.

Martins used a beautiful individual effort in the 73rd minute to score his fourth goal of the year. After using interchange of passes to bypass the middlemen of Colorado, Andy Rose sent a long ball over the top of the Colorado defense. Martins’ back-heel first-touch split two defenders and he chipped goalkeeper Clint Irwin.

The Nigerian,who was the top scorer for Sounders last season, is proving his performances last season was not a once off, if he sustains his present form that has seen him score four times in five games he might surpass his last season tally of 17 goals from 35 games.

Still only 30-years-old,he announced his retirement from international football last year, citing a bad relationship with coach  Stephen Keshi as his reason.