Eulogio Martínez

1. Early Life and Career Beginnings

Eulogio Ramiro Martínez was born in Asunción, Paraguay, on June 11, 1935. His early football career began at the Paraguayan club Atlántida SC before he joined Club Libertad. During his tenure at Club Libertad, Martínez quickly established himself as a talented striker. He played a pivotal role in leading Club Libertad to claim the Paraguayan League title in 1955. His impressive performances at Libertad, particularly in the 1955 championship season, attracted significant attention from European clubs, eventually leading to his move to Spain.

2. Club Career

Martínez's club career was highlighted by a significant period at FC Barcelona, where he achieved remarkable success and left an indelible mark on the club's history. Following his departure from Barcelona, he continued his career with several other Spanish clubs.

2.2. Later Club Career

By 1962, Eulogio Martínez's performance began to be hampered by being overweight, leading to his departure from FC Barcelona. After leaving the Catalan giants, he continued his career in Spain with several other clubs. He first played for Elche CF from 1962 to 1964, making 39 appearances and scoring 7 goals. Following his time at Elche, he joined Atlético Madrid in 1964, though his stint there was brief, with only 2 appearances and no goals. He concluded his professional club career at CE Europa, where he played from 1965 to 1966, recording 10 appearances and scoring 3 goals. While he continued to play after leaving Barcelona, he did not achieve the same level of prominent success or leave a significant mark at these later clubs.

3. International Career

Eulogio Martínez's international career was unique as he represented two different national teams: his birth country, Paraguay, and later, Spain.

He first played for the Paraguay national football team, earning 9 caps and scoring 4 goals between 1954 and 1955. In 1959, Martínez became a naturalized Spanish citizen, allowing him to represent the Spain national football team. For Spain, he earned 8 caps and scored 6 goals. He was also part of the Spanish squad that participated in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. In that tournament, he played in Spain's opening game, a 1-0 defeat against Czechoslovakia, but was subsequently dropped from the team for the remainder of the competition.

In addition to his national team appearances, Martínez also played for the Catalonia national team in 1956, earning 1 cap, and for the Spain B team in 1958, also with 1 cap.

4. Playing Style and Innovations

Eulogio Martínez was celebrated for his distinctive playing style, characterized by his proficiency as a striker and excellent finishing ability. He was adept at creating scoring opportunities and navigating through defensive lines.

One of his most significant contributions to football technique is the "Martinez Turn." This specific maneuver involved a quick rotation and change of direction while maintaining possession of the ball, effectively evading defenders. It was notably documented in Movietone footage during FC Barcelona's 1959-60 European Cup quarter-final match against Wolves.

The "Martinez Turn" bears a striking resemblance to the "Cruyff Turn," a move that later gained widespread international acclaim when demonstrated by Johan Cruyff at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Despite Martínez's documented use of this technique at least 14 years prior to Cruyff's demonstration, Martínez has historically received little to no credit for pioneering the move. This disparity in recognition highlights a broader issue in football history regarding the attribution of innovations, with credit often going to later, more widely exposed figures rather than the original innovators. The "Martinez Turn" stands as a testament to his inventive skill and technical prowess.

5. Honours

Eulogio Martínez achieved considerable success throughout his club career, securing multiple titles with his teams.

;Club Libertad

• Paraguayan League: 1955

;FC Barcelona

• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1955-58, 1958-60
• Spanish League: 1958-59, 1959-60
• Spanish Cup: 1956-57, 1958-59

;Atlético Madrid

• Spanish Cup: 1964-65

6. Career Statistics

The following table summarizes Eulogio Martínez's professional club and international match statistics:

International statistics:

• Paraguay:** 9 caps, 4 goals (1954-1955)
• Spain B:** 1 cap, 0 goals (1958)
• Spain:** 8 caps, 6 goals (1959-1962)
• Catalonia:** 1 cap, 0 goals (1956)

7. Later Life and Death

After retiring from professional football in 1966, Eulogio Martínez settled in the Catalan town of Calella. His life after football was cut short in 1984 under tragic circumstances. On September 30, 1984, Martínez was fatally injured when he was struck by a car while attempting to change a flat tire. He succumbed to his injuries after spending 23 days in a coma, passing away at the age of 49.

8. Legacy and Evaluation

Eulogio Ramiro Martínez is remembered as a highly talented and prolific striker whose career was marked by significant achievements, particularly during his time at FC Barcelona. His record of scoring the first goal at Camp Nou and his astounding seven-goal performance in a single Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid underscore his exceptional offensive capabilities. His quick hat-trick against Real Madrid in the European Cup semi-finals further highlights his ability to perform under pressure and make a decisive impact in critical matches.

However, a crucial aspect of Martínez's legacy is the ongoing discussion surrounding the "Martinez Turn." Despite clear evidence, including Movietone footage, demonstrating his use of this deceptive dribbling technique at least 14 years before Johan Cruyff popularized a similar move known as the "Cruyff Turn," Martínez has largely gone uncredited for his pioneering contribution. This oversight has led to a call for fair historical recognition, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging those who innovate and shape the sport, regardless of the subsequent fame of others who adopt similar techniques.

Martínez's career, though impacted by issues such as being overweight in his later years, remains a testament to a skilled footballer who achieved considerable success and left a lasting, albeit often overlooked, mark on the technical aspects of the game. His story serves as a reminder of the need to critically assess historical narratives and ensure that pioneering contributions receive their due credit.