Javi Martinez

Javier "Javi" Martinez Aginaga (Spanish pronunciation: [xaˈβjeɾ ˈxaβi maɾˈtineθ aɣiˈnaɣa]; born 2 September 1988) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or central defender for Qatar Stars League club Qatar SC.

He arrived at Athletic Bilbao in 2006, before his 18th birthday, quickly imposing himself as a starter and going on to appear in 251 official games over the course of six La Liga seasons, scoring 26 goals. In 2012, he signed with Bayern Munich for €40 million, going on to win nine consecutive Bundesliga titles as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2013 and 2020.

A former Spain international, Martinez was a member of the squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, and also played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club Career

Athletic Bilbao

Martinez was born in Estella, Navarre and raised in the nearby village of Ayegui; and was a promising basketball player in his youth.Athletic Bilbao signed him as a raw 17-year-old for €6 million in the summer of 2006, from fellow La Liga club CA Osasuna, despite him never having played a game with the first team; he had scored three goals in 32 appearances for the reserve team.

Martinez soon became a regular in his debut season with powerful displays, his highlight being scoring twice against Deportivo de La Coruna in a 2–0 away success on 16 December 2006, and finished with 35 games and three goals. He was ever-present again over the following two years, helping Athletic to the final of the Copa del Rey in 2009.

In 2009–10, Martinez was the midfield engine once more– 46 official matches, nine goals – and netted a career-best six times in the league campaign as the side narrowly missed on another qualification to the UEFA Europa League.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Хави Мартинес (russian)