He began his professional career at Deportivo Saprissa, debuting in January 2000.
Martínez played for Brescia Calcio from 2002 to 2012, becoming a key player despite injury setbacks.
He had a brief loan spell at U.C. Sampdoria in 2011.
Biography
Early Life
Gilberto Martínez Vidal was born in the coastal town of Golfito, Costa Rica. He began his football journey at a young age, showcasing his talent early on with the Costa Rica national under-20 football team in 1999.
Club Career
Martínez made his professional debut for Deportivo Saprissa on January 19, 2000, in a match against Cartaginés. His impressive performances in the domestic league and at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship earned him a spot on the Costa Rica national football team. He became a fan favorite and played a crucial role in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, starting all three of Costa Rica's matches. Following the World Cup, he transferred to Brescia Calcio, where he became a key defender despite facing challenges due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He spent the 2006-07 season on loan at AS Roma but struggled to make an impact due to his injury. After returning to Brescia, he regained his form and continued to play for various clubs, including U.C. Sampdoria, US Lecce, and A.S.D. Nardò Calcio, before concluding his club career at F.C. Calcio Acri in 2018.
International Career
Martínez earned 61 caps for the Costa Rica national team, participating in two FIFA World Cups (2002 and 2006) and several other international tournaments, including the UNCAF Nations Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cups. His last appearance for the national team was in a friendly against Argentina in March 2011. After retiring from professional play, he transitioned into coaching, taking on the role of head coach for Municipal Grecia in Costa Rica in 2021.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Deportivo Saprissa
Born in the Pacific Coast town of in Golfito, Costa Rica, 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 Rica national football 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.
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.
- Club
- AS Roma (2006–2007)
- Club
- Brescia Calcio (2002–2012)
- Club
- U.C. Sampdoria (2011–2011)
- Club
- US Lecce (2013–2015)
- Club
- AC Monza (2015–2015)
- Club
- A.S.D. Nardò Calcio (2015–2016)
- Club
- Unione Sportiva Dilettantistica Audace Cerignola (2016–2017)
- Club
- Costa Rica national under-20 football team (1999–1999)
- Club
- F.C. Calcio Acri (2018–)
- National team
- Costa Rica
- Club
- Costa Rica men's national football team (2001–2011)
- Club
- Deportivo Saprissa (1999–2002)
Clubs
- F.C. Calcio Acri2018current
- Costa Rica national under-20 football team1999–1999
- Deportivo Saprissa1999–2002
- Costa Rica men's national football team2001–2011
- Brescia Calcio2002–2012
- AS Roma2006–2007
- U.C. Sampdoria2011–2011
- US Lecce2013–2015
- A.S.D. Nardò Calcio2015–2016
- AC Monza2015–2015
- Unione Sportiva Dilettantistica Audace Cerignola2016–2017
- 2017–2018
Played together with
Aarón CruzDeportivo Saprissa · 2016
Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022–2022- Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022
Abderrazzak JadidBrescia Calcio · 2000–2009
Abel BalboAS Roma · 1993–1998- Abel BalboAS Roma · 2000–2002
- Abel XavierAS Roma · 2004–2005
- Abel XavierAS Roma · 2005–2005
- Adedoyin SanniBrescia Calcio
Adem LjajićAS Roma · 2013–2015- Adewale WahabAS Roma · 2001–2007
Adolfo GoriBrescia Calcio · 1969–1970
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Gilberto Martínez Vidal is a Costa Rican former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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