Forgotten Obafemi Martins reluctant to quit football

Currently unemployed striker Obafemi Martins has no plans of quitting football in spite of an injury that almost halted his career

A forgotten man who played for Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City, and Levante during his long-lasting career in Europe insists he is not considering hanging up his boots yet.

There was no stopping this Obafemi Martins strike 🔥#GoalOfTheDay @NUFC pic.twitter.com/RHOgCNpsjb

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2019

The Nigerian striker departed the ‘old continent’ for good in 2013 when he joined the MLS franchise Seattle Sounders for who he scored 40 goals in 72 outings.

He then linked up with the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua where he gobbled 32 goals and nine assists in 59 top-flight appearances.

Although his career seemed to be drawing to a close following a disastrous hamstring injury that brought his time in China to a halt, Martins insists he won’t quit football anytime soon.

DONE: Obafemi Martins has finalised his switch to Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua from Seattle Sounders. pic.twitter.com/yKaiZkKDbG

— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) February 18, 2016

“After my career-threatening injury in China, many people advised me to quit, but I told myself I still have a lot to offer the beautiful game,” he told Goal.com.

“Football is my life; I eat, drink and sleep football, so I don’t see any reason to call time on something that makes me happy.

Former @NGSuperEagles striker @Obafemimartins training under the supervision of his expatriates at Bar Beach, Lagos. He discloses that he has no immediate plans to retire. pic.twitter.com/qLkcUdjBHT

— Shina Oludare (@sportingshina) September 24, 2019

“I’m 34, but I feel like a teenager, and with this sensation, I can still play for any big team across the world. I’m thankful for what I have achieved in football, but I thirst for more.  

“That desire is still there, the desire to score more goals and win more titles. For my next move, I have got offers from the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia, but I will only move when I see the right bargain.”