Afonso Martins Explained

Afonso Martins
Fullname:Afonso Paulo Martins da Agra
Birth Date:11 April 1973
Birth Place:Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
Height:1.70 m
Position:Midfielder
Years1:1990–1991
Years2:1991–1995
Years3:1995–2002
Years4:2001–2002
Years5:2002–2003
Years6:2003–2004
Years7:2004–2005
Years8:2006–2007
Clubs2:Nancy
Clubs5:Moreirense
Clubs7:Moreirense
Clubs8:Lixa
Caps2:55
Caps3:66
Caps4:28
Caps5:26
Caps6:12
Caps7:24
Caps8:16
Totalcaps:227
Goals2:2
Goals3:5
Goals4:12
Goals5:7
Goals6:0
Goals7:2
Goals8:2
Totalgoals:30
Nationalyears1:1995–1996
Nationalyears2:1996
Nationalteam1:Portugal U21
Nationalteam2:Portugal U23
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalgoals2:2

Afonso Paulo Martins da Agra (born 11 April 1973), known as Martins, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Born in Póvoa de Varzim, Martins family emigrated to France when he was very young, and he first played professionally with AS Nancy Lorraine, spending three seasons at the club. In 1995–96 he returned to Portugal, signing for Sporting CP.[1]

Martins' tenure at the Primeira Liga side was an inconsistent one: he was a starter initially but, towards the end, was often demoted to the reserves and participated very little in the 2000 and 2002 championship conquests (no games whatsoever in the latter, as he was left without a place in the squad and only trained separately).[2] [3] [1]

Martins finished his career in June 2007 at the age of 34, after spells with Moreirense FC,[3] Vitória S.C. and lowly F.C. Lixa. He did not have a club in the 2005–06 campaign.

International career

Martins played for the Portugal national team at under-21 level, also appearing at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where he scored both goals in the 2–0 win over Tunisia in the first match,[4] as the country eventually finished fourth.[5]

Honours

Sporting CP

1999–2000[1]

2001–02[6]

1995[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Afonso de Xangô: campeão do Sporting em 2000 é Pai de Santo. Afonso de Xangô: Sporting champion in 2000 is a Saint's Father. Mais Futebol. Pedro Jorge. Cunha. pt. 24 May 2020. 15 January 2024.
  2. http://record.teste.online.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/afonso-martins-e-pedrosa-ja-treinam-em-alvalade.html Afonso Martins e Pedrosa já treinam em Alvalade (Afonso Martins and Pedrosa already training at Alvalade)
  3. http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/geral/15-03-2003/afonso-martins-moreirense-diz-que-foi-castigado-no-sporting Afonso Martins (Moreirense) diz que foi «castigado» no Sporting (Afonso Martins (Moreirense) says he was "punished" at Sporting)
  4. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/07/22/pagina-2/1334621/pdf.html ‘Españoles’ salvadores (Saving 'Spaniards')
  5. Web site: Portugal-Brasil: o pesadelo das Olimpíadas de 96 segundo Ronaldo e Bebeto. Portugal-Brazil: the nightmare of the 96 Olympics according to Ronaldo and Bebeto. Mais Futebol. pt. 27 March 2003. 15 January 2024.
  6. News: Sporting-Vilanovense, 3–1 (Jardel 44 PG, 83 e 90; Nuno Rocha 33 GP). Sporting-Vilanovense, 3–1 (Jardel 44 PK, 83 and 90; Nuno Rocha 33 PK). Record. pt. 17 November 2001. 20 May 2017.
  7. News: Os «Príncipes» de Octávio em 1994/95. Octávio's "Princes" in 1994/95. Record. pt. 31 January 2001. 15 January 2024.