Shekiera Martinez faced skepticism from her family at age eight when expressing her desire to play football. Determined to prove herself, she promised to outlast her sister in the sport. Now, sixteen years later, Martinez is a successful West Ham striker and was awarded the Women's Super League's Rising Star for the 2024-25 season, scoring ten goals in twelve games. She signed a three-year contract with West Ham in July 2024. Last season significantly impacted her life both on and off the pitch as she adjusted to her move to England.
Sixteen years later, the West Ham striker has certainly kept that promise. After progressing through her local boys' team, playing for Eintracht Frankfurt for six years and thriving at youth level for Germany, Martinez most recently collected the Women's Super League's Rising Star award for the 2024-25 season after a breakthrough second half of the campaign in which she scored 10 times in 12 WSL games.
Last season was life-changing for Martinez off the pitch as well as on it. She became a West Ham player in July 2024, signing a three-year contract, but could not immediately play in England.
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