For other people, see Roberto Martinez (disambiguation)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Martínez Rípodas | ||
| Date of birth | September 15, 1976 | ||
| Place of birth | Pamplona, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Osasuna | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1995–1997 | Osasuna B | 58 | (7) |
| 1997–1999 | Osasuna | 40 | (7) |
| 1999–2009 | Athletic Bilbao | 198 | (21) |
| 2008–2009 | → Eibar (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2002 | Spain | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Roberto Martínez Rípodas, aka Tiko (born 15 September 1976 in Pamplona, Navarre), is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central or defensive midfielder.
He is known for his powerful shots[1] and creative play. His long-range efforts were dubbed Tikotazo.[2]
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Tiko emerged through the ranks of hometown CA Osasuna, alternating between the A and B sides for some time, whilst the former was still in the second division. His professional debut came on 10 May 1997, as he scored an injury time winner at CD Badajoz (1–0).
In 1999–2000, Tiko moved to neighbours Athletic Bilbao, making his top level debut on 12 October 1999, in a 4–3 win at Málaga CF. He would make 17 appearances (one goal) during the season.
From 2001–06, Tiko was an undisputed starter in midfield for the Basque Country team, often scoring from free kicks and dictating Athletic's play. In his final two seasons, he was severely hampered by injuries[3] and the emergence of Javi Martínez and Carlos Gurpegui, playing in just seven league contests combined.
On August 2008, deemed surplus to requirements, Tiko joined SD Eibar in the second division, on a one-year loan deal. Upon his return to Bilbao, following Eibar's relegation, he was immediately released, and retired from the game shortly after.
Tiko topped a brilliant 2001–02 season (32 games, seven goals) with his sole cap for the Spain national football team, playing in a friendly on 27 March 2002 in Rotterdam, as Spain were downed by Holland, 1–0.