# Diego Martínez (Mexican footballer, born 1981)

Diego Alfonso Martínez Balderas (born 15 February 1981) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a right-back.

## Biography

Martínez made his debut in the Invierno 2001 season with Necaxa. His ability to attack made him a fan favorite and quickly earned him a starting position. He signed with Chivas in 2006, where he immediately became an important part of the team. Martínez usually played in the right wingback position with Chivas, providing the team with crosses and through passes in the attack. However, he excelled more in his defending duties.
Martínez lost favor with Chivas and was sent out on loan with various teams such as Morelia, Tigres, C.F. Monterrey, San Luis, Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz, and most recently CF La Piedad, until July 2012, when he received a second shot with Chivas, which included Diego in the squad for the next Apertura tournament. He was then released from his contract and he signed with Querétaro. He was only featured in the Copa MX. After his release of yet another team, Martínez chose to retire. In 2014, he joined an organization named Glorias del Deporte, aimed to get kids to play football and get away from drugs. He is one of the head coaches, and the organization travels all over Mexico.

## International career

Martínez has played in several national Mexican youth teams, and was captain of the Mexican National U-23 Team during the 2004 Olympic Trials. He received his first summons for the senior Mexico national team in 2003. Martínez was called upon by former Mexico national team coach Ricardo Antonio Lavolpe on several occasions in search for the team that would play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

## Career statistics
### International goals

| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | March 10, 2004 | Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico | Ecuador | 2–1 | Win | Friendly |
| 2. | March 31, 2004 | Carson, California, United States | Costa Rica | 2–0 | Win | Friendly |
| 3. | October 26, 2005 | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico | Uruguay | 3–1 | Win | Friendly |

### International caps

As of 28 January 2009
International appearances :
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
| 1. | February 4, 2003 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States | Argentina | 0–1 | Friendly |
| 2. | October 15, 2003 | Soldier Field, Chicago, United States | Uruguay | 0–2 | Friendly |
| 3. | 18 February 2004 | The Home Depot Center, Carson, United States | Chile | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 4. | 10 March 2004 | Estadio Víctor Manuel Reyna, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico | Ecuador | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 5. | March 31, 2004 | The Home Depot Center, Carson, United States | Costa Rica | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 6. | 28 April 2004 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, United States | United States | 0–1 | Friendly |
| 7. | 26 October 2005 | Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico | Uruguay | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 8. | 17 November 2005 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, United States | Bulgaria | 0–3 | Friendly |
| 9. | 1 March 2006 | Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas, United States | Ghana | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 10. | 24 September 2008 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States | Chile | 0–1 | Friendly |
| 11. | 12 November 2008 | Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Ecuador | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 12. | 28 January 2009 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California, United States | Sweden | 0–1 | Friendly |

## Honours

Mexico U23
* CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2004