Everything began over twenty years ago, and it will all come to an end on Sunday, August 4. Eder Citadin Martins, at 37 years old, has decided to hang up his boots. He will play one last match wearing the jersey of his first and last club, Criciuma Esporte Clube, which will face Atletico Mineiro in the 21st round of the Brazilian Serie A.
For this special occasion, the former Italian national team player, who played a key role in Euro 2016, will sport a unique kit: on his back, nestled between his iconic number 23, will be a depiction of his famous celebration with fingers pointing to the sky, a scene famously remembered from June 17, 2016, when he scored the decisive goal against Sweden.
Eder’s football journey began in a humble field in Santa Catarina state in 2003, where he played for the Criciuma youth team. Discovered by Italian agents Andrea Bagnoli, Eugenio Ascari, and Emanuele Ricci, Eder benefited from his great-grandfather hailing from Treviso, allowing him to acquire Italian citizenship. He was subsequently signed by Empoli for €550,000, marking the start of his career in Italy.
During his time in Italy, Eder played for several clubs, including Frosinone, Brescia, Cesena, Sampdoria, and Inter Milan, where he netted 60 goals in Serie A. His journey then led him to China, where he played for Jiangsu Suning, before returning to Brazil to finish his career with São Paulo and Criciuma.
However, Eder’s story in football is far from over. After his playing days come to an end, he is poised to embark on a new chapter as a club executive.