João Baptista Martins (3 September 1927 – 16 November 1993) was a Portuguese footballer.

Club career

He played for Sporting CP for 13 years. During his time with the club, he would win seven Primeira Liga titles and the 1954 Taça de Portugal.

João Martins (footballer, born 1927)

On September 4, 1955, he scored the first-ever goal of the European Cup, in a 3–3 draw against FK Partizan.

João Martins (footballer, born 1927)

International career

Martins won 11 caps for Portugal. He made his debut on November 23, 1952, in a 1–1 draw against Austria.

João Martins (footballer, born 1927)

Later life and death

After retiring, Martins moved to France, and worked in a factory. He died in November 1993 aged 66, due to heart failure.

References

Other websites

Portugal stats at Eu-Football

1927 births

1993 deaths

Portuguese footballers

Association football forwards