Obafemi Martins boldly claims he was faster than football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, and Mohamed Salah during his prime. Speaking at the CAF Awards, the retired Super Eagles striker confidently discussed his pace, recalling how he outpaced defenders and even dismissed comparisons to other speedsters.
Super Eagles legend Obafemi Martins recently made bold claims about his speed during an appearance at the CAF Awards. The retired striker, known for his blistering pace throughout his career, confidently stated that he was faster than footballing icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Mohamed Salah, and even Gareth Bale.
Martins, now 40, reminisced about his prime years when he raced past defenders to score one of his 201 career goals, 18 of which were for Nigeria’s national team. During the CAF Awards event, the Nigerian football icon was asked by ESPN’s social media team to compare his speed with other renowned players. He firmly rejected any claim that others were faster, including popular names like Micky Van der Ven, Arjen Robben, and Leroy Sane.
When Brazilian legend Ronaldo, known for his speed and skill, was mentioned, Martins instantly dismissed the comparison, stating, "I'm faster; he knows that." His confidence was unwavering as he continued to assert that even players like Theo Walcott and Adama Traore couldn’t match his pace, suggesting that his former Inter Milan teammates would vouch for his claims.
While some fans on social media have questioned his assertion, others have praised his self-awareness and confidence, with many reminiscing about his prime form in the 2000s. Martins' bold remarks have sparked debates online, but there’s no denying the impact his pace had on the pitch throughout his career.
