Doha: When Javi Martinez ended a nine-year stay at Bayern Munich to complete a move to Qatar SC, he was following on a well-trodden path of Spanish international players spending the twilight of their careers at the home of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
His former international team-mate Xavi had become a poster boy for Al Sadd, spending four years as a player and two as head coach at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Playing under his tutelage at the club once captain by the great Raul Gonzales were Santi Cazorla and Gabi.
But you would have to rewind two decades back to find the inspiration for Martinez’s move to Doha, and for his entire, highly successful playing career.
“Fernando Hierro was my childhood hero; I used to watch on TV when I was a kid,” Martinez told FIFA+ in an exclusive interview.
“I always wanted to be like him, and there are similarities in the positions we play, even though he was a centre-back, but he was able to play in a holding role.”
For Martinez, it was a transition in the opposite direction; after rising to fame as a combative midfielder at Athletic Bilbao, he was converted into a centre-back at Bayern Munich by Pep Guardiola, another Spaniard who had once graced the Qatar Stars League pitches.
“I spoke to [Hierro] because he was my coach when I was in Spain youth setup. I talked to him because I needed to know a little more about Qatar and he was very helpful. He told me not to hesitate and to accept the offer because I will be very happy doing so, and he was right.
Fast forward 12 months, it has not been smooth sailing on the pitch as Qatar SC finished the 2021-22 season ninth in the 12-team league, but off the pitch, Martinez has been enjoying life on the shores of the gulf.
“When I arrived here, I found a completely different culture. What surprised me most here is how good people are; Qataris are open and very kind. I thought they would be a little more closed, but they treated me like one of their own from day one."
Having played an entire season and attended the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, Martinez spoke of his first-hand experience.
“I am sure people will find a country that is ready for the World Cup because for them, it’s a chance to show Qatar to the world and to show what a great country and great city they have. I believe they will do their best to do this and show Qatar in a good light. Organising a World Cup is no easy task but they are ready for it.
“They will find open and helpful people. You can see their ambition and desire in the stadiums to make this World Cup the best ever. The stadiums are unbelievable, all of them are five-star venues. And I think people will be blown away by those stadiums.”
Playing 17 minutes as a substitute against Chile, Martinez wrote his name into the history books of the FIFA World Cup back in 2010, becoming the youngest member of the Vicente del Bosque squad that brought home Spain’s first-ever World Cup trophy.
“Spain has a squad capable of winning the World Cup. It’s true, a lot of the players are young, but they have played at the highest level. Some of them have played for a few years in La Liga or other top European leagues but the World Cup is a very difficult competition and having a good squad alone is not enough. You need to know when to compete, and you need to have a bit of luck.”
“For me, perennial contenders are Germany, Spain, and Brazil, but there is one side that I feel have a better chance than the rest; Argentina.
“They have been good over the past two years, and they have Leo Messi who will give everything to get the title he is missing. If I had to bet all my money on one team, it would be Argentina.”
