Afonso Martins


Afonso Paulo Martins da Agra, 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 four seasons at the club while making 60 competitive appearances. In 1995–96 he returned to Portugal, signing for Sporting CP.
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 league victories of 2000 and 2002.
Martins finished his career in June 2007 at the age of 34, after spells with Moreirense FC, Vitória de Guimarães 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, as the country eventually finished fourth.

Honours

Sporting CP