Devastating news for ex-NUFC star as ‘career threatening’ injury ends World Cup dream

Former NUFC striker Obafemi Martins’ hopes of making this summer’s World Cup have ended in devastating fashion, with the Nigerian rupturing his quadriceps tendon during a recent game for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

He’s since travelled to the UK for surgery, which is believed to have been a success based on reports today, however the 33-year-old is now facing ‘6-7 months’ on the sidelines.

Last weekend he scored his first career hat-trick for the Chinese Super League side (his 19th goals in just 27 starts), however just days later he was stretchered off with an injury that was initially described as career threatening.

This horrific injury initially cast his career into real doubt, with him due to turn 34 before he is back playing football again, however it has also come as a crushing blow for his international hopes, with it ruling him out of the reckoning for Nigeria’s World Cup campaign in Russia this summer.

A real shame for the striker. He was erratic and infuriating to watch following his £10m move from Inter Milan way back in 2006, but he was a player capable of the extraordinary on his day.

We wish him best with his recovery!

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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