Super Eagle Legend Obafemi Martins was famous for being very fast and his speed was a key part of his successful career.
When discussing the fastest footballers in history, one name that often surfaces is Obafemi Martins. But does he hold the title of the fastest player in football history?
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Martins' Rise to Prominence
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Obafemi Martins' journey to football stardom began in Nigeria before making waves in Italy with Inter Milan.
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His agility and rapid movements on the pitch caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.
From there, he enjoyed successful stints at Newcastle United, Birmingham City, and later Major League Soccer (MLS) with Seattle Sounders.
Evidence of Martins' Speed
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Martins was renowned for his ability to outrun defenders and make quick sprints during counter-attacks.
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During his time at Inter Milan, he was clocked at a top speed of 36 km/h (22.4 mph), a record that stood out at the time as per Goal.com
Obafemi Martins vs Other Faster Players
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Pulse Sport previously reported that the former Newcastle United star Obafemi Martins asserted that during his prime, he was faster than current football speedsters like Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale.
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23:56 - 16.12.2024
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Super Eagles legend Obafemi Martins made bold claims at the CAF Awards.
Martins, known for his electrifying pace and powerful finish, enjoyed a successful career across Europe, the USA, and China. He played for ten clubs in seven countries and earned 42 caps for Nigeria, scoring 18 goals.
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Despite other players being renowned for their speed, Martins insists no footballer could match his pace during his prime, even claiming his video game stats aligned with Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt.
According to ESPN, Martin's speed was extraordinary, facing competition from other notable speedsters in football history. Players like Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all demonstrated remarkable speed on the pitch. Notably, Kylian Mbappe was recorded reaching 38 km/h (23.6 mph) during a match, surpassing Martin's top speed
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17:43 - 18.12.2024
Obafemi Martins backs Inter Milan to win Seria A ahead of Ademola Lookman's Atalanta
The former Inter Milan striker believes the Nerazzurris will win the league ahead of Ademola Lookman's Atlanta.
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Additionally, Arjen Robben's famous sprint against Spain in the 2014 World Cup saw him clock 37 km/h (22.99 mph), further adding to the elite list of fast footballers as per a report from Daily Mail
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Is Obafemi Martins the fastest player in football history?
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Despite not officially holding the record for the fastest player, Martins' speed and agility left an indelible mark on football. His pace was instrumental in scoring crucial goals and creating opportunities for his teammates.
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14:19 - 06.03.2025
Lookman equals Osimhen & Obafemi Martins' Nigerian scoring record — Africa's finest historic European campaign
Ademola Lookman scored five Champions League goals this season for Atalanta, matching the single-campaign record for Nigerians set by Obafemi Martins and Victor Osimhen.
He remains a legend in Nigerian football and an inspiration for aspiring strikers. While Obafemi Martins may not hold the title of the fastest player in football history, Martins speed was undeniably exceptional. His legacy as one of the quickest and most agile forwards continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide