Jackson Martinez retires from football – the worst La Liga signing ever?

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 2 min read

Former Colombia international Jackson Martinez has retired from football at the age of 34.

The ex-striker was one of the most feared frontmen in world football during his prime and enjoyed a prolific spell at Porto.

During three years with the Portuguese giants between 2012 and 2015, he scored a brilliant 94 goals in just 143 games.

This included an impressive eight goals in the 2014-15 Champions League to lead Porto to the quarter-finals.

His prowess in front of goal earned him a big-money move to Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone splashing out €35 million for the Colombian.

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However, the attacker failed to settle in the Spanish capital or adapt to Simeone’s style of play.

He scored a miserable three goals in just 22 games and was even labelled by some sections of the Spanish press as the biggest transfer flop in La Liga history.

Martinez lasted with Atletico only until February 2016 when he transferred for another huge fee of €42m to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.

But he endured an injury nightmare in China with a number of ankle surgeries. He played just 10 leagues games before ending his career back in Portugal with two years at Portimonense.

Martinez also played for Independiente Medellin in his homeland and Mexican club Chiapas, while he scored nine goals in 40 caps for Colombia and played at the 2014 World Cup.