Christian Martínez (footballer, born 1994)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Mena.
Christian Martínez
Martínez with Saprissa in 2016
Personal information
Full name Christian Alonso Martínez Mena
Date of birth (1994-04-19) 19 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Liberia, Costa Rica
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Cartaginés
Number 16
Youth career
–2012 Liberia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Liberia 18 (1)
2016–2019 Saprissa 88 (1)
2019 → San Carlos (loan) 16 (0)
2019–2023 San Carlos 142 (3)
2023– Cartaginés 43 (0)
International career‡
2015 Costa Rica U22 3 (0)
2015 Costa Rica U23 3 (0)
2021 Costa Rica 2 (0)
2021– El Salvador 38 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2024

Christian Alonso Martínez Mena (born 19 April 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Liga FPD club Cartaginés. Born in Costa Rica, he represents El Salvador at international level. He previously played for his country of birth national team.

Club career

Martínez began his career with his local club Municipal Liberia, making his first professional appearance in a 2–0 Liga FPD win over La U Universitarios on 2 August 2015.[1] On 14 January 2016, he transferred to Deportivo Saprissa signing a 3-year contract.[2] On 15 January 2019, he transferred to San Carlos.[3] Martínez won 3 Liga FPD titles, 2 with Saprissa, and 1 with San Carlos - their first title in their history.[4]

International career

Costa Rica

Martínez was born in Costa Rica, and is of Salvadoran descent through his father.[5] A youth international for Costa Rica, he debuted for the senior Costa Rica national team in a friendly 0–0 tie with Bosnia and Herzegovina on 27 March 2021.[6]

El Salvador

Martínez switched to represent El Salvador in September 2021.[7] He debuted in a friendly 2–0 loss to Guatemala on 24 September 2021.[8]

Career statistics

As of match played 17 November 2024
International statistics
National team Year Apps Goals
Costa Rica Costa Rica 2021 2 0
Total 2 0
El Salvador El Salvador 2021 7 0
2022 5 0
2023 13 0
2024 13 0
Total 38 0

Honours

Deportivo Saprissa

San Carlos

References

  1. ^ "Municipal Liberia vs. La U Universitarios - 2 August 2015 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  2. ^ "Saprissa se le adelanta a Alajuelense y contrata a contención liberiano". La Nación. 15 January 2016.
  3. ^ "San Carlos anuncia la llegada a préstamo de Christian Martínez | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  4. ^ Goñi, Diana Flores (16 May 2019). "¡Histórico! San Carlos campeón del fútbol nacional".
  5. ^ "¿Quién es Christian Martínez, el jugador costarricense que será convocado por la Selecta? | Noticias de El Salvador". 26 August 2021.
  6. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Costa Rica (0:0)". www.national-football-teams.com.
  7. ^ "Christian Martínez fue titular ante Costa Rica y debutó con la selección de El Salvador". El Gráfico.
  8. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "El Salvador vs. Guatemala (0:2)". www.national-football-teams.com.