On March 16, 2025, Christopher Martins, the midfielder for FC Spartak Moscow, made headlines by scoring twice to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over FC Zenit Saint Petersburg during the 21st round of the Russian Premier League. The match took place at Spartak's home ground, where the atmosphere was electric, thanks to over 40,000 fans filling the stands. The victory was significant as it marked Spartak's first win over Zenit since November 2017.
Martins, who was born on February 19, 1997, in Luxembourg, suffered a dislocated shoulder during the first half. Despite the painful setback, he managed to return to the game and played a decisive role by scoring the winning goals. He stated, “I felt I dislocated my shoulder, but I managed to put it back. The doctor said I could continue playing. It was painful, but you can't give up in games like this. Sometimes you have to suffer, then get up and move on.” His determination to continue playing showcased not only his commitment but also his drive to help his team succeed.
The match turned when Martins scored the first goal, thrusting Spartak forward. Although Zenit managed to equalize with Louis Henrique scoring on the 83rd minute, Martins struck again just moments later, sealing the 2-1 victory. This performance has led many to call him the ‘hero’ of the match. Former Spartak captain Egor Titov praised him, declaring, “He was everywhere. He’s one of the best players in the RPL - box-to-box.” Titov emphasized the importance of Martins’ contributions to the team, highlighting his scoring ability and work rate.
Following the match, Spartak climbed to second place in the league standings, having 43 points, just behind Krasnodar, who leads with 46 points. Zenit, also with 43 points, fell to third due to tiebreakers. Despite the tight standings, statistical models like Opta give Spartak only a 19% chance of winning the championship, compared to 47% for Krasnodar and 29% for Zenit.
Martins’ performance this season has been impressive overall; he has scored seven goals and provided five assists over 23 matches played. His growing reputation is reflected by Transfermarkt, which currently values him at 5 million euros, with his contract running until June 30, 2026. He joined Spartak from Young Boys of Switzerland back in January 2022 after playing for various clubs across France.
After the victory over Zenit, Martins relished the atmosphere of playing at home, stating, “The atmosphere was incredible. When we came out for warm-up, the stadium was already full. It gave us the right energy.” He emphasized how the support from fans elevates their game and made them feel invincible. This sentiment was echoed by supporters who have followed the team's ups and downs throughout the season, showing their unwavering dedication.
This match not only highlights Martins’ resilience and skill but also marks a pivotal moment for Spartak, as they look to build momentum as they head closer to the championship round. Their determination to secure every win remains evident, as Martins stated, “To be champions, we need to win every game. This match against Zenit is an important step for us.” Spartak fans are likely to keep their hopes up as the team continues their fight for the league title.
Martins has quickly become indispensable for Spartak, with ex-player Alexander Mostovoy commenting on his presence: “Martins is powerful, healthy, and surpasses many players with his stature. It’s hard to envision Spartak without him.” The recognition of his contributions from both fans and football analysts reflects the rising star’s growing impact on Russian football.
With the end of the season approaching, all eyes will be on how Spartak maintains their current form and whether Martins can consistently perform at this level, proving to be the key player Spartak needs during this title chase. Only time will tell if they can achieve their goal, but with Martins at the helm of their midfield, they appear to be on the right track.
