'They wanted me to be next Shearer'- Obafemi Martins on carrying the No.9 legacy at Newcastle
Published: April 23, 2025
Retired Nigeria international Obafemi Martins has opened up about the challenges he faced after leaving Inter Milan for Newcastle United, a move that came with sky-high expectations.
Obafemi Martins joined the Magpies from Inter Milan for £10.1m in 2006 after becoming unsettled at the Serie A giants following the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo.
Joining the Premier League as a 21-year-old, Martins was quickly thrust into the spotlight, especially after inheriting the iconic No.9 shirt previously worn by club legend Alan Shearer.
With 260 goals in 441 appearances, Shearer holds the record as the Premier League's all-time top scorer, having achieved this milestone with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
Despite the weight of expectations and a tough start, Martins says he gave everything he could during a three-year stint at St. James' Park.
The former Super Eagles star registered 45 goal involvements (35 goals, 10 assists) in 104 matches across all competitions as a Newcastle United player.
"Leaving Inter Milan to go to Newcastle United, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task and I remember my first game I got injured," Martins told Football Fans Tribe.
""Back then, as a striker, if you didn't score in two or three games, you'd already start feeling sad.
"It wasn’t easy at all playing as the number 9. I took Shearer's number 9 shirt, so the pressure alone is high.
"They wanted me to be the next Shearer, to score more goals. But I did my part and I moved on."
In an illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Martins also wore the colours of Reggiana, VfL Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City, Levante, Seattle Sounders, Shanghai Shenhua and Wuhan.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'He's helped me tremendously' – Igoh Ogbu credits Slavia coach for Super Eagles call-up
- Full list of 21 players in camp as Super Eagles begin CHAN preparations in Ikenne
- Confirmed: Eze signs new deal with Blackburn as another Nigerian defender joins from Wolves
- Done deal: Motherwell loan in Celtic youth product Sule from West Brom
- Official: Midfielder who is open to representing Nigeria signs new deal with Bournemouth
- 'This is what we need' – Oparanozie hails ex-England U20 forward after first goal in Nigeria colours
- Official: Nottingham Forest confirm Super Eagles defender has signed a new contract
- 'It's promising people money' – Plumptre breaks silence on impersonation after Super Falcons win
- 'Very good player' – Borussia Dortmund chief eyes new deal for Chelsea's Chukwuemeka
- Club Brugge in talks with Southampton over transfer of forward on Eric Chelle's radar


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88