Fernando: 'I feel like another Almeria-born as I'm approaching my 9th season with excitement'
The UD Almería captain and goalkeeper closes in on Club record for most appearances as goalkeeper following UD Almería contract renewal
There is a poetic symmetry to the Spanish word portero. Whether it refers to the old caretaker of a building or the last line of defence on a football pitch, both roles involve protection, vigilance, and quiet leadership. Fernando Martínez embodies all those traits as he prepares to enter his 9th season with UD Almería. A constant presence in goal and in the dressing room, the Murcia-born veteran continues to foster unity, stability, and pride within the club.
In an era where player loyalty is often fleeting, Fernando’s longevity stands out:
'Nowadays it’s rare. Not many players stay this long at one club. I’m going into my 9th season and as I’ve always said, I’m really proud of my time here. I feel like another Almeria-born. The sense of belonging grows with every year,' he told the Club’s official media.
With around 150 appearances under his belt, the goalie is now just 6 matches away from overtaking Esteban Suárez as the goalkeeper with the most appearances in UD Almería’s history.
'I’m not one to obsess over stats, but of course it would mean a lot to me. It’s a big motivation,' he admitted with the trademark humility that has made him such a respected figure.
This pre-season has brought a wave of fresh faces to the squad, but Fernando’s role remains clear: welcome the newcomers and build a cohesive unit. 'It’s a pre-season of change. The new lads have come in with real enthusiasm, and we’ll treat them like our own so they can settle in fast. Most of them have a lot of experience, so I think it’ll come together quickly. The goal is to strike the right balance between youth and experience to meet our targets,' he explains.
The Murcia native also underlined what supporters can expect from their team:
'Whether we win or lose, the fans have to see a team that gives everything. There’s never a lack of commitment or effort here.'
Among the summer signings is fellow Murcia-born and goalkeeper Andrés Fernández, a name that sparked memories for Fernando.
'There was a goalkeeping school back in Murcia called ‘El Cholo y Moñino,’ where we actually overlapped for a few days. He probably doesn’t remember since he was already playing at a high level when I arrived. We’ve faced off plenty of times since then and always exchanged a few words after matches,' says Fernando.
From Marbella, where the squad are fine-tuning its preparations, the squad has been closely following off-pitch developments, especially the wave of season-ticket renewals. Fernando had a heartfelt message for the supporters:
'This fan base always steps up. After two tough seasons, their enthusiasm hasn’t wavered. Almost everyone renewed. The whole squad and the Club are hugely grateful. We just want to pay that trust back with good performances.'
Now 35, the goalkeeper from Spain’s area La Huerta (allotment) has witnessed the Club’s evolution firsthand. From second-division grinders to top-tier talent developers, UD Almería are changing its profile.
'Marc Pubill’s move to Atlético Madrid shows how far we’ve come. It’s not easy to produce top-level players in the second division. But at UD Almería, if you perform well, you can move to the biggest clubs in the world,' he states.
As he eyes the record books, Fernando Martínez remains the ever-reliable portero—guardian of both goal and identity—for a Club that are rapidly building toward the future.