Instantly identifiable, Martins aims to stand out against old club

In a Roshn Saudi League boasting some of the biggest names in world football, Al Khaleej’s Fabio Martins is one of the most recognisable players in the division.

But that has nothing to do with the quality of his play, which is as exciting as any, and more to do with his huge mop of frizzy hair that makes him instantly identifiable out on the pitch.

The sight of the flying winger, running at pace with his thatch of hair trailing in the breeze behind, has become commonplace in the RSL over the past two years, as Martins has lit up the league with 14 goals and eight assists.

The 31-year-old former Portuguese youth international has made a home for himself in Saihat, just north of Dammam, since joining Al Khaleej in December 2022 from UAE Adnoc Pro League side Al Wahda.

Under former coach, Pedro Emanuel, a Portuguese compatriot, Martins flourished, establishing himself as one of the most important cogs of the Al Khaleej machine, registering seven goals in each of the past two seasons.

His easy adaption to life in the Eastern Province probably owes to the fact this is his second stint in Saudi Arabia, the first coming a few years earlier when Martins spent the 2020-21 season on loan at capital club, Al Shabab.

Not only did this mark his first foray in the RSL, but it also represented the Mafamude-born wideman’s first experience of playing outside of his native Portugal. Before joining Al Shabab, he spent the best part of the previous decade bouncing around clubs on the Iberian Peninsula, from FC Porto to Sporting Braga to Famalicao, with further stops at Pacos Ferreira and Chaves along the way.

When he arrived in the Saudi capital, he found a star-studded Al Shabab side, featuring former Watford and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, as well as former Inter Milan, Valencia and Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega. Not to mention emerging Saudi talent such as Hassan Al Tambakti, Abdullah Al Hamdan and Moteb Al Harbi.

Martins more than played his part in a sensational season in which Al Shabab finished second, four points behind Al Hilal. It formed their highest finish since winning the league a decade earlier. Martins was key: he scored nine goals and recorded four assists.

While his time in Riyadh was brief, lasting a solitary season, it was a campaign that left a lasting impression on Martins. It also left him wanting more of the RSL.

“I'd like to thank you for everything, because you've made me want to show my worth and quality for this club every day,” he shared on Instagram after his departure. “Al Shabab was the club that gave me my first experience outside my country, far from my comfort zone, without my family and, above all, without my son.

“It was difficult, but with everyone's daily support, everything can be overcome and, although we didn't win the title everyone had been waiting for, we did qualify for the [AFC] Champions League, something the club hadn't achieved for a few years.

“Thank you to all the people in Saudi Arabia who welcomed me and Raquel so well, you will all undoubtedly stay in our hearts forever and we certainly hope to return. Farewells are never easy, we're not even sure if this is a goodbye or a see you later, so we'll see you around. Inshallah.”

Martins was right: it was a “see you later” rather than a goodbye, except this time it wouldn’t be in the black and white of Al Shabab, rather the green and yellow of Al Khaleej.

Yet, on Thursday, he will be seeing Al Shabab up close and personal when Vitor Pereira’s side travel the 420km west to Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam in what shapes up as a crucial early season battle for both sides, in the closing fixture in Matchweek 2 of the 2024-25 RSL.

After an opening loss to Al Ettifaq last week, Al Shabab will be desperately searching for their first win of the season, while Al Khaleej are seeking to make it two victories on the bounce to begin the season for the first time in their history.

Martins, 31, has a mixed record against his former side in the three games they’ve played since he returned to the RSL, with a win, a loss and a draw. Meanwhile, Martins has scored in two of those contests.

Al Shabab may still have a piece of his heart, but there’ll be no room for sentiment for the current Al Khaleej man when the first whistle blows.