Jackson Martinez released by Chinese side as €42 million flop

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Beijing, March 4: Former Porto and Colombian striker Jackson Martinez who was once touted to be one of the deadliest strikers of Europe has suffered a huge blow to his professional career as the forward now has been released by Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande, just two years after signing for the side for €42m.

The 31-year-old earned himself a cult status at Portugal with Primera Liga side FC Porto in 2012-2015 where he scored 94 goals in just 143 outings.

His superb display in front of goals put him in the centre of attraction and La Liga giants Atletico did not hesitate to sign him up in 2015 for £30m.

However, since that move, he failed to replicate his scoring achievements in La Liga. The Colombian forward left the Spanish side just after one-year scoring thrice and Simeone encashed on him by selling him to the far east to Chinese League side Guangzhou Evergrande for a whopping €42m.

Although the forward also earned himself a bumper contract. Martinez reportedly used to earn £12.5 mil annually with the Chinese side and at one time he also was the most expensive player in the whole league.

But the two years down the line, as per playing aspect, the forward suffered two serious injuries and could only manage 16 appearances. He scored only four goals and hasn't played since October 2016.

Now adding more pile to his misery, his side, Evergrande now have decided to cut their losses for the upcoming season and have omitted Martinez from their 31-man squad for the new Chinese Super League season.

Marinez was once a starter in his national team and had won 40 caps for Colombia, hitting the net on nine occasions for his homeland.

But now with the player's future hanging in total limbo, it looks like it is impossible for the player to get into the upcoming World Cup squad as well with his current fitness status not trustable, the player might face huge difficulty over reignite his career with a move to any top-tier European side.

However, still as per some reports, some interests have been growing from his homeland and the Colombian striker could now go back to his boyhood club Independiente Medellin to steady his future again.