Gilberto Martínez

For the Mexican Olympic shooter, see Gilberto Martínez (sport shooter).

Not to be confused with Gilberto Erick Martínez.

Gilberto Martínez

Personal information
Full name	Gilberto Martínez Vidal
Date of birth	(1979-10-01) October 1, 1979
Place of birth	Golfito, Costa Rica
Height
Position(s)	Right back, Centre back
Team information
Current team	Lecce
Youth career
	Saprissa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2002	Saprissa	68	(0)
2002–2012	Brescia	218	(1)
2006–2007	→ Roma (loan)	0	(0)
2011	→ Sampdoria (loan)	9	(0)
2013–	Lecce	48	(0)
International career‡
2001–2011	Costa Rica	61	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 November 2012 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 March 2011

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Vidal.

Gilberto Martínez Vidal (born October 1, 1979 in Golfito, Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican footballer.

He most recently played as a defender for Italian club Lecce.

Club career

Deportivo Saprissa

Born in the Pacific Coast town of Golfito, Martínez made his professional debut for Deportivo Saprissa on 19 January 2000 in a 4-0 win over Cartaginés. His performances in the domestic league and Nigeria's Football World Youth Championship soon earned him a place on the Costa Rican national team. Martínez quickly established himself there as well, becoming one of the most wanted and loved from the fans. He started all three of the team's games in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and his performances were well regarded.

Brescia Calcio

Due to his World Cup performances, Brescia purchased him from Deportivo Saprissa on September 15 of the same year. In his initial seasons with Brescia, Martínez established himself as a mainstay in the rondinelle defense line. However, an ankle injury he suffered during the 2006 FIFA World Cup limited him in the following seasons; he spent the whole 2006–07 season on loan to Roma, but failed to make an impact as he failed to recover from his injury. He returned to Brescia at the start of the 2007–08 season without having made a single appearance for the Rome-based club. He ultimately made his playing comeback in the 2008–09 season, confirming himself once again as a key player for his club, then in Serie B.

In February 2011 he was loaned to Sampdoria.

In January 2013, Martínez joined Lecce.

Career statistics

[1][2]

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Costa Rica			League		Cup		League Cup		North America		Total
1999-00	Deportivo Saprissa		11	0
2000-01			26	0
2001-02			31	0
Italy			League		Coppa Italia		League Cup		Europe		Total
2002–03	Brescia	Serie A	34	0
2003–04			30	0
2004–05			33	1
2005–06		Serie B	35	0
2006–07	Roma	Serie A	0	0
2007–08	Brescia	Serie B	0	0
2008–09			30	0
2009–10			14	0
2010–11	Brescia	Serie A	19	0
2010–11	Sampdoria	Serie A	9	0
2011–12	Brescia	Serie B	23	0
Total	Costa Rica		68	0
	Italy		227	1
Career total			295	1

International career

He was part of Costa Rica's national team in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Nigeria.

Nicknamed Tuma, Martínez made his debut for Costa Rica in a January 2001 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Guatemala and earned a total of 61 caps, scoring no goals. He represented his country in 26 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and played at both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He also played at the 2001 UNCAF Nations Cup as well as at the 2002 and 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cups.

He also played at the 2001 Copa América.

His final international was a March 2011 friendly match against Argentina.

External links

• Gilberto Martínez at National-Football-Teams.com
• Gilberto Martínez Profile at Brescia's Soccer Team website