Marvin Martin
Encyclopedia
Marvin Martin is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...

 in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....

. He plays as a creative play-making
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....

 midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...

 and is described as a player with "very good technique on the ball" and "excellent vision", which compensates for his relatively small frame. Martin is a former France youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...

 having starred for his country at under-21
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...

 level from 2008–2010.

Early career

Martin was born in the 14th arrondissement of Paris and hails from the Porte de Vanves
Porte de Vanves (Paris Metro)
Porte de Vanves is a station on line 13 of the Paris Métro and a stop on tramway line 3.The station was opened on 21 January 1937 on old Line 14, which was absorbed into 13 in 1976. It was the southern terminus of the line until its extension to Châtillon - Montrouge on 9 November 1976. In 2006,...

 area. He therefore grew up close to the Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...

 and regularly attended Paris Saint-Germain games, developing a passion for the French capital club. He began his football career at Club Athlétique de Paris at the age of six and, after two years at the club, joined sports club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...

 Montrouge CF in the southern Parisian suburbs. Martin's commitment to football accelerated after the France national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...

 won the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...

. He described the victory as "the moment I wanted become a professional player". While playing at Montrouge, Martin trained and played alongside Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder...

, Issiar Dia
Issiar Dia
Issiar Dia is a French-born Senegalese footballer. He currently plays for the Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.-Amiens SC:...

, Flavien Belson
Flavien Belson
Flavien Belson Bengaber is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Football League One side Yeovil Town. Belson previously played for English club Milton Keynes Dons, but was released following the 2008–09 season. After leaving the English club, he played on the reserve team of his...

, and Dominique Malonga
Dominique Malonga
Dominique Sossorobla Malonga is a French footballer of DR Congo origin. He plays for Cesena, on loan from Torino.He made his Serie A debut on 23 September 2007, against A.C. Siena....

. The quartet were beneficial to the under-13 team that won the Coupe de Paris in 1997 defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

After showing potential at Montrouge, Martin attended trials at the Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine
Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre , commonly referred to as INF Clairefontaine , INF, or simply Clairefontaine, is the national association football centre that specializes in training French football players...

 academy with hopes of earning selection to the prestigious school, however, following the conclusion of the camp, he was not selected. However, his domestic teammate Ben Arfa was. Citing the player's failure to earn a spot at Clairefontaine, a coach at Montrouge later stated "I do not know if it gave him added strength, but in any case, he continued to work instead of feeling sorry for himself". In 2002, Martin drew interest from professional club Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...

 after being spotted by club scout Christian Puxel. Club officials offered the player a trial
Trial (sport)
Trial may refer to the following types of competitions.*Time trials*Car or motor trial, motoring competitions of skill and/or reliability*Motorcycle trials, an obstacle motorcycle competition...

. He accepted the offer and made the trek east to Montbéliard
Montbéliard
Montbéliard is a city in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It is one of the two subprefectures of the department.-History:...

. In July 2002, Martin signed an aspirant (youth) contract with the club after impressing during a trial match held at the Stade Bonal.

Sochaux

Upon his arrival to the club, Martin was inserted into the club's prestigious youth academy and quickly developed a rapport with future teammates Ryad Boudebouz
Ryad Boudebouz
Ryad Boudebouz is an Algerian football player who is currently playing for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in Ligue 1. He plays as an attacking midfielder and is a former French youth international, but switched allegiances to Algeria, his country of origin, in 2010.-Career:Born in Colmar to Algerian...

, Sloan Privat
Sloan Privat
Sloan Privat is a French football player who currently plays for FC Sochaux Montbéliard.-Career:...

, Geoffrey Tulasne
Geoffrey Tulasne
Geoffrey Tulasne is a French professional football player. He most recently played in the Ligue 1 for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.-External links:*...

, and Frédéric Duplus
Frédéric Duplus
Frédéric Duplus is a French football player who currently plays for French club Guingamp on loan from Sochaux in Ligue 2.-Football career:...

. Martin was influenced to train hard in the academy by former club player Camel Meriem
Camel Meriem
Camel Meriem is a French footballer of Algerian origin who currently plays for French club OGC Nice in Ligue 1.- Club career :Meriem began his career with Sochaux where he played 82 games and scored eight goals in five years. After the end of the 2001/2002 season, he signed for Bordeaux...

, as well as academy graduates Jérémy Menez
Jérémy Menez
Jérémy Ménez is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He plays many positions in the attacking midfield, usually as a winger and a playmaker...

 and Mevlüt Erdinç
Mevlüt Erdinç
Mevlüt Erdinç is a French-Turkish footballer. He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain as a striker. He is both a Turkish and a French citizen. His surname is commonly spelt Erding by the European media...

 who established themselves at Sochaux at a young age. In 2007, he played on the club's under-19 team that won the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....

. Sochaux defeated Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...

 5–4 on penalties in the final match, which was played at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...

. As a result of the youth team's cup success, several players on the team, including Martin, were promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team in the fourth division. In the 2007–08 Championnat de France amateur season, Martin appeared in a team-high 32 matches and scored three goals as the reserve team finished fourth in its group.

Following the conclusion of the 2007–08 season, Martin signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a three-year deal with the club. He was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 26 shirt by manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...

 Francis Gillot
Francis Gillot
Francis Gillot is a former football defender and current manager of Girondins de Bordeaux.Gillot was named head coach of Bordeaux on 6 June 2011. He signed a two-year deal with the club.-References:*...

. Martin made his professional debut on 30 August 2008 in a 2–1 league defeat to Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...

 appearing as a substitute. Two weeks later, he made his first professional start in a 2–1 loss to Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...

. In the team's next four league matches, Gillot inserted Martin as a starter. After the stint of consecutive starts, he rotated between the bench and the first eleven for the rest of the campaign. On 13 May 2009, Martin scored his first professional goal in a 3–0 victory over Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...

. He finished the campaign with 30 total appearances scoring only one goal.

In the 2009–10 season
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...

, following the departure of Romain Pitau
Romain Pitau
Romain Pitau is a French football midfielder, currently playing for Montpellier HSC.-External links:...

, Martin was inserted into the starting lineup as his replacement by Gillot for the season. He was a vocal point in the midfield assisting on a goal in the team's second match of the season against Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....

. On 26 September 2009, he scored a goal in a 2–1 loss against Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...

 and, in the following week, netted the game-winning goal against Le Mans. On 21 January 2010, Martin signed a contract extension with the club until 2014. Martin's play-making abilities began to develop and flourish during the season as he assisted on game-winning goals in victories over Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...

, Rennes, and Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...

. In the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...

, he contributed to the club's reaching the quarter-finals as he scored a double in a 4–1 rout of amateur club Beauvais
AS Beauvais Oise
Association Sportive Beauvais Oise is a French association football club based in Beauvais. The club was formed in 1945 as a result of a merger and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Beauvais plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre Brisson located...

 in the Round of 16. Martin finished the successful individual campaign with 40 total appearances, four goals, and four assists.

Martin's importance within the team was further bolstered in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Ligue 1
The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011...

 after the departure of the club's primary playmaker Stéphane Dalmat
Stéphane Dalmat
Stéphane Dalmat is a French footballer who plays as a midfielder for French club Rennes. Dalmat is a very versatile player who can occupy a variety of positions on the midfield. His good ball control and dribbling ability has often seen managers use him wide on the left of midfield...

. Martin switched to the number 14 shirt in reference to the 14th arrondissement of Paris and was tipped to replace him by Gillot. The young midfielder responded positively and scored his first goal of the season on 14 August 2010 in a 3–2 loss against Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...

. The following month, he scored a goal described by the local media as a "moment of magic" in a 4–0 victory over Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...

. Martin developed a strong simpatico with strikers Ideye Brown
Ideye Aide Brown
Ideye Aide Brown is a Nigerian football forward currently playing for Ukraine Premier League side FC Dynamo Kyiv.-Career:...

 and Modibo Maiga
Modibo Maïga
Modibo Maiga is a Malian footballer. He currently plays for Sochaux. He is a forward who can play as a winger.-Tunisian:...

, as well as winger Nicolas Maurice-Belay
Nicolas Maurice-Belay
Nicolas Maurice-Belay is French football player who currently plays for Bordeaux of the French Ligue 1.He signed on a free-transfer for Bordeaux, on 24 June 2011.-External links:* at L'Equipe.fr...

 assisting on several of each player's goals. By the end of January 2011, Martin had assisted on a league-leading ten goals, which included both goals in the team's 2–1 win over Arles-Avignon on 7 August, another two in a 3–1 win against Caen, and one in a 5–1 thrashing of Rennes on 29 January. Martin also scored a goal in the win over Rennes. His performances during the campaign led to his teammates and friends playfully nicknaming him "Little Xavi
Xavi
Xavier Hernández i Creus , commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi , is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 14-year career....

" in reference to the Barcelona star. Because of his great performances in midfield throughout the league campaign, Martin was one of four players nominated for the UNFP Young Player of the Year, along with Mamadou Sakho
Mamadou Sakho
Mamadou Sakho is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a centre back for his club, but can also deputized as a left back if necessary. Sakho is known for his leadership credentials, his tireless engine,...

, Yann M'Vila
Yann M'Vila
Yann M'Vila is a French international footballer who plays for French club Rennes in Ligue 1. He operates as a defensive midfielder and is described by his club as a player who possesses "excellent defensive abilities" and "impressive physical strength"...

, and Andre Ayew
André Ayew
André Morgan Rami Ayew is a Ghanaian football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He is often referred to as simply Dédé. Ayew plays as a winger, but can play as a striker...

.

International career

During his development years, Martin went unnoticed by youth national team coaches. After establishing himself as a professional, he was called up to the France under-21 team
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...

 in November 2008 to participate in a friendly match against Denmark
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...

. Martin made his youth international debut in the match as a starter. He was substituted out after 61 minutes as France won the match 1–0. Martin featured with the team for the rest of the campaign as France failed to qualify for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....

, which effectively ended Martin's under-21 career. On 26 May 2011, after a successful league season with Sochaux, Martin was called up to the senior national team by Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...

 for June fixtures against Belarus
Belarus national football team
The Belarus national football team represents Belarus in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus, the governing body for football in Belarus. Belarus' home ground is Dinamo Stadium in Minsk...

, the Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...

, and Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...

. The midfielder described the call up as "a dream" and made his senior international debut on 6 June in the team's friendly match against the Ukraine appearing as a second half substitute with the match drawn 1–1. In the match, Martin scored two goals and assisted on another, which was scored by fellow debutante Younès Kaboul
Younes Kaboul
Younès Kaboul is a French footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can also play at right back or in defensive midfield.-Auxerre:...

, as France won the match 4–1. As a result of his double, Martin became only the fourth French international, after Jean Vincent, Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...

 and Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis |Var]]) is a French footballer of Senegalese descent who currently plays as a striker for Lyon and the French national team.-Saint-Étienne:...

, to score twice on his debut.

Club

(Correct as of 19 October 2011)
Club Season League CupIncludes Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...

, Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...

, Trophée des Champions
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...

Europe
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....

Includes UEFA Supercup
Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...

2008–09 27 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 30 1 3
2009–10
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...

36 2 4 4 2 1 0 0 0 40 4 5
2010–11
2010–11 Ligue 1
The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011...

37 3 17 4 1 0 0 0 0 41 4 17
2011–12
2011–12 Ligue 1
The 2011–12 Ligue 1 season is the 74th since its establishment. Lille are the defending champions. The league schedule was announced on 31 March 2011 and the fixtures were determined on 10 June. The season began on 6 August 2011 and will end on 20 May 2012...

8 1 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 1 4
Total 10872811312001211029
Career total 10872811312001211029

International

(Correct as of 15 November 2011)
National teamSeasonAppsGoals Assists
France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...

2010–11
2010–11 in French football
The 2010–11 season is the 78th season of competitive professional football in France. The league season began on 6 August 2010 for the Championnat National and Ligue 2 and on 7 August for Ligue 1 and the Championnat de France amateur. The season concluded on 26 May 2011 for Ligue 2, 27 May for the...

2 2 1
2011–12
2011–12 in French football
The 2011–12 season is the 118th overall season of football and the 79th season of competitive professional football in France.The men's French national team began play on 10 August 2011 contesting a friendly match against Chile. The team will continue its qualification matches for the upcoming UEFA...

7 0 2
Total92 3

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1
6 June 2011 Donbass Arena, Donetsk
Donetsk
Donetsk , is a large city in eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. Administratively, it is a center of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the economic and cultural Donets Basin region...

, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...

 
1–2
1–4
Friendly
2
6 June 2011 Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine
1–4
1–4
Friendly
Correct as of 11 October 2011

External links

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