Jackson Martínez was once one of the most feared strikers in the world. Fans loved him for his cool dance moves and amazing goals.
Today, his life looks very different from his days on the soccer field. He traded his soccer cleats for a microphone and now makes Christian hip-hop music.
In this article, you will know Jackson Martinez’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Jackson Martínez’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jackson Arley Martínez Valencia |
| Date of Birth | October 3, 1986 |
| Age | 39 |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Position | Striker (Retired) |
| Net Worth | $15 Million – $20 Million (Estimated) |
| Career Earnings | Approx. $20 Million+ |
| Wife | Tatiana Caicedo |
| Music Genre | Christian Hip-Hop |
| Last Club | Portimonense SC |
Early Career
Jackson Martínez started his journey in Colombia. He was born in Quibdó but moved to Medellín when he was young. His father was also a soccer player, which inspired him greatly.
Jackson joined the youth team of Independiente Medellín and worked very hard to get noticed. He made his professional debut for the club and quickly became a fan favorite. In 2009, he helped the team win a league title and scored a record-breaking 18 goals in one short season.
His great performances caught the eye of teams outside Colombia. In 2010, he moved to Mexico to play for Jaguares de Chiapas.
This was a big step up for him. He adapted quickly to Mexican soccer and became a scoring machine. During his time there, he played 64 games and scored 33 goals. His success in Mexico proved he was ready for European soccer.
Professional Career
His career exploded when he joined FC Porto in Portugal in 2012. This was the best time of his life as a player. Jackson was unstoppable. He won the Golden Boot (top scorer award) in the Portuguese league for three years in a row.
He scored 92 goals in just 133 games for Porto. Fans nicknamed him “Cha Cha Cha” because of his smooth dance celebration. Big clubs all over the world wanted to sign him because he was so good.
He moved to Atlético Madrid in Spain for a massive fee of €35 million. However, things did not go well there.
He struggled to fit into the team’s style and only scored three goals. Just six months later, he shocked everyone by moving to China to play for Guangzhou Evergrande.
The Chinese club paid €42 million for him. Sadly, a serious ankle injury ruined his time in China. He barely played for two years. He tried to make a comeback in Portugal with Portimonense but retired in 2020 to focus on his faith and music.
Wife
Jackson Martínez is a family man. He has been married to Tatiana Caicedo for over a decade.
The couple got married in March 2013 in a beautiful ceremony. Tatiana has supported him through his biggest wins and his tough injuries.
They have two children together. Their first child is a son named Josue, who was born in 2012. Three years later, in 2015, they welcomed a daughter named Samantha. Jackson often talks about how important his family is to him.
He credits them and his faith for helping him get through the hard times when his ankle injury forced him to stop playing soccer.
Jackson Martínez’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jackson Martínez has an estimated net worth of $15 million to $20 million. Most of this wealth comes from the massive contracts he signed during the peak of his career in China and Europe.
Contract
Jackson signed some of the biggest contracts in soccer history for a Colombian player. His move to Atlético Madrid cost the Spanish club €35 million in transfer fees. The biggest deal came in 2016 when Guangzhou Evergrande paid €42 million to bring him to China.
This was a record fee for an Asian club at that time. Although he signed a four-year deal there, he left early because of his injuries. He later played for Portimonense on a much smaller contract before he retired.
Salary
When Jackson played for FC Porto, he earned a solid salary, but his income skyrocketed in China.
Reports suggest his contract with Guangzhou Evergrande was worth around €12.5 million per year. Even though he did not finish the full four years, he earned a huge amount of money during his two years on the team’s books.
Since retiring in 2020, he no longer earns a soccer salary. His current income comes from investments and his music career, though this pays much less than soccer did.
Career Earnings
| Period | Team | Est. Total Earnings (Period) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 – 2015 | FC Porto | ~$5 Million |
| 2015 – 2016 | Atlético Madrid | ~$4 Million |
| 2016 – 2018 | Guangzhou Evergrande | ~$25 Million |
| 2018 – 2020 | Portimonense | ~$1 Million |
| Total | Career Total | ~$35 Million (Gross) |
Endorsements
Jackson Martínez was a highly marketable athlete, securing a major endorsement deal with sportswear giant Nike.
Known for his explosive speed and finishing ability, he was a prominent face for the brand’s Mercurial Vapor boot line, often wearing the latest models during his prolific goal-scoring seasons at FC Porto and his stint at Atlético Madrid.
While his record-breaking transfer to China increased his global visibility, his subsequent injuries limited further commercial opportunities with other international brands.
Since retiring from professional football in 2020 to pursue Christian hip-hop, Martínez has moved away from traditional sports sponsorships, instead using his platform to promote his independent music projects and faith-based initiatives rather than commercial products.
Career Stats
| Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independiente Medellín | 106 | 41 | – |
| Jaguares de Chiapas | 64 | 33 | – |
| FC Porto | 143 | 94 | 13 |
| Atlético Madrid | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 | 4 | 2 |
| Portimonense | 54 | 12 | – |
| Total Career | 405 | 187 | 17+ |
FAQs
1. Why did Jackson Martinez retire from professional soccer?
Jackson retired because of a chronic ankle injury. He struggled with pain for years after getting hurt. He decided to stop playing to protect his long-term health.
2. What is Jackson Martinez doing?
He is currently a Christian hip-hop artist. He releases music that shares his faith and life experiences. He released an album called “No Temeré” and continues to write songs.
3. Which club did Jackson Martinez have the most success with?
His best time was at FC Porto. He scored 94 goals there and won the league title. He was also the top scorer in the Portuguese league for three seasons in a row.
4. How much was Jackson Martinez’s transfer fee to China?
Guangzhou Evergrande paid €42 million to sign him from Atlético Madrid. This was a record transfer fee for an Asian football club at that time.
5. Does Jackson Martinez still play soccer for fun?
He occasionally plays in charity matches or friendly games. However, his ankle condition prevents him from playing competitively. He focuses his energy on his family and his music career instead.
