Colombia’s Ex-Football Star Jackson Martinez Ventures into Christian Rap

Former Colombian football player Jackson Martinez, known for his time with clubs like FC Porto, has embraced a new passion after retiring: Christian rap. Six days ago, Martinez released a new song, “Inexcusables” (“Unforgivables”). The title track of his album addresses themes such as forgiveness, family conflicts and seeking God during challenging times.

Jackson Martinez, from football to Christian rap

Martinez announced his retirement from professional football in December 2020 at age 34. His career was marked by injuries that sidelined him for long periods of time. During his recovery, he grew closer to his Christian faith and discovered a talent for rap, deciding to share his message through music.

“At that moment, I wanted to remember that God is good, despite my injury and how difficult it was to step away from soccer, at least for a while. So, I decided to share my songs with my family and to praise God,” Martinez declared to Colombian media outlet El Pais.

“My songs are evangelical; the idea is to reflect my own spiritual life, full of sins, because that’s how we humans are,” he says, adding that his past life was characterized by “lust and joy in sins.”

His first single, “Un Salvador,” (A Savor) was well-received by followers and launched his career as a Christian rapper in 2021. He later released the album “Inexcusables,” which features songs like “Filipenses 4:13,” “Deseo,” (Desire) as well as the title track.

Jackson Martinez’s football career

Martinez is remembered as one of the most outstanding Colombian forwards of his generation, known for his scoring ability and versatility. He began his professional career with Independiente Medellín, debuting in 2004 and leaving a lasting mark as the top scorer of the Colombian league in 2009 with 18 goals. This achievement paved the way for international opportunities, leading to his move to Chiapas Futbol Club in Mexico in 2010. There, he continued his scoring streak, netting 33 goals in 64 Liga MX matches.

His peak years came with FC Porto (2012-2015), where he was the top scorer in the Primeira Liga for three consecutive seasons and helped the team win the Portuguese league title in 2013. In 2015, he signed with Atlético de Madrid, though his time there was brief, with only two goals in 15 matches before transferring to Guangzhou Evergrande in China for €42 million. His career began to decline after a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for two years.

In 2018, he returned to Portugal with Portimonense in an attempt to regain his form, but recurring injuries led to his retirement in 2020. On the international stage, Martinez represented the Colombian national team in major tournaments, including the Copa América in 2011 and 2015 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He scored twice in the group stage against Japan, cementing his legacy in Colombian football history.