Gustavo Martins reveals scoring secrets after Gre-Nal goal, ‘wanted this to be my year’ | OneFootball

At 23, centre-back Gustavo Martins scored at Beira-Rio in the Gre-Nal that sealed Grêmio’s Gauchão title, his first of 2026 and his 10th for the club since turning professional in 2023, across 98 appearances.

"I have been chasing a run and affirmation since 2023. I ended last year feeling I wanted 2026 to be my year. We are champions, but nothing is guaranteed, I have to work even more," he told Globo.com.

At the end of 2025, before the coaching change, he saw few prospects and considered leaving. Enquiries arrived from Eastern Europe and multi-club groups in December and January, and Grêmio declined to entertain them. "There were rumours, but I wanted a run here. I have been at the club eight years and I love it."

His threat owes much to his leap, measured at 44.4 cm against a squad average of 39 cm. "Strength work helps and they monitor jumps weekly, I am well placed in the group, but a few are still ahead of me." He also played as a second striker in his youth, switched to defence at 14, and stays late for set-piece, heading and finishing drills to be ready.

Having regained his starting spot, Martins has partnered fellow academy graduate Viery, 21, for three matches, a pairing he says strengthens identification with the club. At Beira-Rio, technical coordinator Luiz Felipe Scolari kissed his badge after urging him to attack set plays, and post-match the homegrown pair echoed the trophy photo popularised by Geromel and Kannemann.

Source: Globo.com