Martin Škrtel facts for kids
Škrtel playing for Liverpool in 2015
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 December 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Handlová, Czechoslovakia | ||
| Height | 1.91 m | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Dunajská Streda (sporting director) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1990–2001 | Baník Prievidza | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2001–2004 | Trenčín | 45 | (0) |
| 2004–2008 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 74 | (3) |
| 2008–2016 | Liverpool | 242 | (16) |
| 2016–2019 | Fenerbahçe | 79 | (6) |
| 2019 | Atalanta | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2021 | İstanbul Başakşehir | 30 | (3) |
| 2021–2022 | Spartak Trnava | 18 | (0) |
| 2022 | FK Hajskala Ráztočno | 1 | (0) |
| Total | 489 | (28) | |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2019 | Slovakia | 104 | (6) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2024– | Dunajská Streda (sporting director) | ||
|
|||
Martin Škrtel (born 15 December 1984) is a famous Slovak former professional footballer. He played as a strong centre-back defender.
Škrtel played for several big clubs during his career. He was with FK AS Trenčín and Zenit Saint Petersburg before joining Liverpool in 2008. He spent eight and a half years at Liverpool, playing 320 official games. After Liverpool, he moved to Fenerbahçe.
He won the Russian Premier League title and the English League Cup. Martin Škrtel was also named Slovak Footballer of the Year four times, showing how important he was to his country's football.
Škrtel also played for the Slovak national team from 2004 to 2019. He played 104 games for his country, making him one of Slovakia's most-capped players ever. He helped Slovakia reach the last 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
Contents
Early Life and First Clubs
Martin Škrtel was born on 15 December 1984 in Handlová, which is in Slovakia.
Starting His Football Journey
Škrtel began his professional football career at his local club, FC Baník Prievidza. Soon after, he moved to FK AS Trenčín. He played 44 games for Trenčín and scored 8 goals between 2001 and 2004.
Playing in Russia: Zenit Saint Petersburg
Škrtel joined Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia. He made his first appearance for them in July 2004. He found it easy to settle in because other Slovak and Czech players were already there.
He played 113 games for Zenit and scored 5 goals. In 2007, he helped the team win the Russian Premier League title. Many big clubs, including Valencia and Tottenham Hotspur, were interested in him. However, he decided to sign for Liverpool in England in January 2008.
Time at Liverpool: A Key Defender
Martin Škrtel joined Liverpool on 11 January 2008. He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. The transfer fee was about £6.5 million.
When he joined, Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, said Škrtel was "aggressive, quick, good in the air." He believed Škrtel was a very good player for both the present and the future. Škrtel wore the number 37 shirt for Liverpool.
First Seasons and Injuries
Škrtel started the 2008–09 season very well. He played in almost every Premier League match. He formed a strong defensive partnership with Jamie Carragher. In October 2008, he suffered a serious knee injury. Doctors expected him to return before Christmas.
He came back from injury in December 2008. He became a regular starter again in the second half of the season. Liverpool finished second in the Premier League that year.
On 21 November 2009, Škrtel scored his first goal for Liverpool. It was in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City. In February 2010, he broke a bone in his right foot. This injury kept him out of action for a while. In August 2010, he signed a new contract with Liverpool until 2014.
Playing Every Minute and Winning Trophies
During the 2010–11 season, Škrtel played every single minute of every Premier League match. This showed how important he was to the team. He even captained Liverpool in a Europa League game on his 26th birthday. He later said this season was his best for the club so far.
In the 2011–12 season, Škrtel scored a header against Bolton Wanderers. This was his first league goal of the season. On 26 February 2012, he scored in the 2012 Football League Cup Final against Cardiff City. Liverpool won the match on penalties, giving Škrtel his first trophy with the club.
At this point, Liverpool had the best defense in the Premier League. Many people thought Škrtel and Daniel Agger were the best defensive pair. In May 2012, Škrtel was named the Liverpool Player of the Year.
Challenges and Strong Comebacks
The 2012–13 season started tough for Škrtel. He gave away a penalty in the first game. He later called this season "one of the worst seasons in my career."
However, he bounced back strongly in the 2013–14 season. Liverpool turned down a £10 million offer for him. He helped Liverpool keep a clean sheet against Manchester United. He scored his first goal of the season in November 2013.
On 8 February 2014, Škrtel scored two goals in the first ten minutes against Arsenal. Liverpool won that game 5–1. He scored another two goals in a 6–3 win over Cardiff City. He ended the season with seven goals in the Premier League.
Final Seasons at Liverpool
In the 2014–15 season, Škrtel captained Liverpool in a Champions League match against Real Madrid. He played a key role when the manager changed to a three-man defense. His speed and ability to play the ball were very important.
In December 2014, he scored a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute against Arsenal. This helped Liverpool get a vital 2–2 draw.
On 10 July 2015, Škrtel signed a new contract with Liverpool. He played his 300th match for the club in September 2015. He scored his first goal of the season in November 2015, a powerful shot against Manchester City. This was exactly six years after his first goal for Liverpool, which was also against Manchester City.
Moving to Turkey: Fenerbahçe and İstanbul Başakşehir
On 14 July 2016, Škrtel joined Fenerbahçe, a club in the Turkish Süper Lig. The transfer fee was reported to be £5 million. In his first season, he played 31 league games and scored 2 goals.
There were rumors he might return to England, but his manager said Škrtel was happy in Turkey. He stayed with Fenerbahçe until 2019.
After a very short time with Atalanta in Italy, Škrtel returned to Turkey. He signed with İstanbul Başakşehir on 2 September 2019. He played 20 games and scored three goals. He helped the team win the 2019–20 Süper Lig title. This was the first top-flight title in the club's history. He left the club in January 2021 after suffering an injury.
Return to Slovakia and Retirement
In August 2021, Škrtel returned to Slovakia after 17 years. He joined Spartak Trnava. On 1 March 2022, he became the oldest goalscorer in Trnava's history. He scored a goal at 37 years, 2 months, and 14 days old. He helped Spartak Trnava win the Slovak Cup.
In August 2022, Škrtel left Spartak Trnava. He went to play for his childhood club, FK Hajskala Ráztočno, in a local league. This allowed him to finish his career where it all began. In September 2024, Škrtel was named the new sporting director of DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda.
International Career with Slovakia
Martin Škrtel played for Slovakia at different youth levels. He made his debut for the senior national team in 2004. He was part of Slovakia's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. He even served as captain in the Euro 2016 tournament.
On 13 October 2018, Škrtel played his 100th game for Slovakia. This made him the third most-capped Slovak footballer ever.
On 22 February 2019, Škrtel announced he was retiring from international football at age 34. He had a farewell game on 13 October 2019 against Paraguay. He started as captain and played for 30 minutes.
How He Played
Martin Škrtel was known as a very strong centre-back. He was excellent at heading the ball. His teammates often said he was "really strong" and gave the midfield "confidence" because of his quality. He was also described as "very athletic" and good at passing the ball.
Personal Life
Martin Škrtel and his wife, Barbora Škrtelová, welcomed their son, Matteo, on 7 October 2011.
Honours and Awards
Martin Škrtel won several trophies and individual awards during his career:
Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Russian Premier League: 2007
Liverpool
- Football League Cup: 2011–12
İstanbul Başakşehir
- Süper Lig: 2019–20
Spartak Trnava
- Slovak Cup: 2021–22
Individual Awards
- Slovak Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
- Liverpool Player of the Year: 2011–12
- Premier League Player of the Year by Northwest Football Awards: 2012
See also
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
Images for kids
-
Škrtel playing for Liverpool in 2015
-
Škrtel playing for Liverpool in 2008
-
Škrtel warming up for Liverpool in 2011
-
Škrtel training with Liverpool in 2013
-
Škrtel training with Fenerbahçe in 2017
-
Škrtel training with Slovakia in 2010
