Obafemi Martins quits international football

Obafemi MartinsSeattle Sounders forward, Obafemi Martins, has announced his retirement from international football.

The 30-year-old, known for his speed on the ball, last played for the Super Eagles in 2013.

“I am done with my national team, I will not go there anymore. I do not have good relationships with some companions. If they do not want me anymore, patience,” Martins told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I love my country, I have given so much. But there are problems and although I am called up, I do not go.”

Obagoal, as he is fondly known, made a scoring debut for Nigeria on May 29, 2004 against the Republic of Ireland.

On November 17, 2007, the attacker captained his country for the first time in a friendly against Australia that marked his 19th appearance.

His 83rd minute strike on November 12, 2009 in Nairobi ensured the Super Eagles qualified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

His future for the national team has been placed in doubt on numerous occasions after separate incidents of controversy.

In August 2006, the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) website had his date of birth down as 1 May 1978, which would have made him 28 years of age rather than 21.

The NFA soon confirmed that it had been an administrative error and apologised for the confusion it had caused.

The former Inter Milan, Newcastle, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan and Levante striker made 39 appearances for his country scoring 18 times.