Shekiera Martinez, the West Ham United striker, has taken the Women's Super League by storm after scoring 10 goals in 12 league games last season, earning the WSL Rising Star award for 2024-25. The 24-year-old German, who joined West Ham in July 2024, made a mid-season recall from a loan at Freiburg and quickly became one of the league's most prolific scorers.
Martinez's journey began at age eight in Germany, when she promised her mother she would play football longer than her older sister, who had given up the sport. She progressed through a local boys' team, spent six years at Eintracht Frankfurt, and represented Germany at youth level, including being top scorer at the 2018 Under-17 European Championship.
Reflecting on her breakthrough, Martinez said: 'Yes, I was surprised, to be honest. I really had a lot of respect for the WSL – I didn't know it would go so well. The physicality is much harder here than in Germany, but we have gym every day so I also got stronger.' She added: 'I'm a 9, I love scoring goals. I'm not really thinking when I'm playing football; it just happens on instinct.'
Off the pitch, Martinez enjoys spending time with her toy poodle Ruby, walking in parks near her home. She said: 'I don't go into the city often so I'm just with my dog in the parks, enjoying my quieter time. She's my baby.' Despite her success, she does not watch football on television, preferring basketball or supporting friends who play.
Martinez's rapid rise has been life-changing. She said: 'I always said my dream was to play in England one time. It came quicker than I thought. I was ready for the change and I was really excited.' With her instinctive finishing and dedication, she is set to be a key player for West Ham in the upcoming season.
