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{{Short description|Uruguayan footballer (1982–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
:''Not to be confused with another Uruguayan footballer, [[William Martínez]].''
{{for|another Uruguayan footballer|William Martínez (footballer)}}
{{family name hatnote|Martínez|Fracchia|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Williams Martínez
| name = Williams Martínez
| image =
| image =
| fullname = Williams Guillermo Martínez Fracchia
| fullname = Williams Guillermo Martínez Fracchia
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|12|18}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1982|12|18}}
| birth_place = [[Montevideo]], [[Uruguay]]
| birth_place = [[Montevideo]], Uruguay
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = 1.85 m
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2021|07|17|1982|12|18}}
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub = [[River Plate Montevideo|River Plate]]
| clubnumber = ?
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[Defensor Sporting]]
| youthyears1=
| years1 = 2001–2008
| youthclubs1=
| clubs1 = [[Defensor Sporting]]
| years1 = 2001–2007
| years2 = 2003
| years3 = 2006
| years4 = 2008–2009
| years5 = 2008–2009
| years6 = 2009–2011
| years7 = 2010–2011
| years8 = 2011–2012
| years9 = 2012–2013
| years10 = 2013–2014
| years11 = 2014–2015
| years12 = 2015–2016
| years13 = 2016
| years14 = 2016
| years15 = 2017–
| clubs1 = [[Defensor Sporting]]
| clubs2 = → [[Club Ferro Carril Oeste|Ferro Carril]] (loan)
| clubs3 = → [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Brom]] (loan)
| clubs4 = [[Valenciennes FC]]
| clubs5 = → [[Stade de Reims]] (loan)
| clubs6 = [[Defensor Sporting]]
| clubs7 = → [[Chacarita Juniors]] (loan)
| clubs8 = [[C.D. Huachipato|Huachipato]]
| clubs9 = [[C.D. Palestino|Palestino]]
| clubs10 = [[Cerro Porteño]]
| clubs11 = [[River Plate Montevideo|River Plate]]
| clubs12 = [[C.A. Cerro]]
| clubs13 = [[Deportivo Táchira]]
| clubs14 = [[Rampla Juniors]]
| clubs15 = [[River Plate Montevideo|River Plate]]
| caps1 = 93
| caps1 = 93
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2003
| clubs2 = → [[Ferro Carril Oeste|Ferro Carril]] (loan)
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2006
| clubs3 = → [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Brom]] (loan)
| caps3 = 2
| caps3 = 2
| caps4 = 7
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2008–2009
| clubs4 = [[Valenciennes FC|Valenciennes]]
| caps4 = 7
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2008–2009
| clubs5 = → [[Stade de Reims|Reims]] (loan)
| caps5 = 17
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2009–2011
| clubs6 = [[Defensor Sporting]]
| caps6 = 23
| caps6 = 23
| caps7 = 32
| goals6 = 0
| caps8 = 13
| years7 = 2010–2011
| clubs7 = → [[Chacarita Juniors]] (loan)
| caps9 = 26
| caps10 = 0
| caps7 = 26
| caps11 = 25
| caps12 = 30
| caps13 = 15
| caps14 = 13
| caps15 = ?
| goals1 = 8
| goals3 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2011–2012
| clubs8 = [[C.D. Huachipato|Huachipato]]
| caps8 = 13
| goals8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2012–2013
| clubs9 = [[Club Deportivo Palestino|Palestino]]
| caps9 = 26
| goals9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2013–2014
| clubs10 = [[Cerro Porteño]]
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2014–2015
| clubs11 = [[Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo)|River Plate Montevideo]]
| caps11 = 25
| goals11 = 1
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2015–2016
| clubs12 = [[C.A. Cerro|Cerro]]
| caps12 = 30
| goals12 = 2
| goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2016
| clubs13 = [[Deportivo Táchira F.C.|Deportivo Táchira]]
| caps13 = 15
| goals13 = 0
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2016
| clubs14 = [[Rampla Juniors]]
| caps14 = 13
| goals14 = 0
| goals14 = 0
| goals15 = ?
| years15 = 2017–2018
| clubs15 = [[Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo)|River Plate Montevideo]]
| nationalyears1= 2003
| caps15 = 59
| nationalteam1= [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]]
| goals15 = 4
| nationalcaps1= 1
| years16 = 2019
| clubs16 = [[AD Ceuta FC|Ceuta]]
| caps16 = 6
| goals16 = 1
| years17 = 2020–2021
| clubs17 = [[Rampla Juniors]]
| caps17 = 20
| goals17 = 0
| years18 = 2021
| clubs18 = [[Villa Teresa]]
| caps18 = 3
| goals18 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2003
| nationalteam1 = [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]]
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| ntupdate =
}}
}}


'''Williams Martínez''', full name '''Williams Guillermo Martínez Fracchia''' (born 18 December 1982 in [[Montevideo]]) is a [[Uruguay]]an [[Association football|footballer]]. He currently plays as a defender for Uruguayan side [[River Plate Montevideo|River Plate]].
'''Williams Martínez Fracchia''' (18 December 1982 – 17 July 2021) was a Uruguayan professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[centre-back]].

He played for [[Defensor Sporting]], [[Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo)|River Plate Montevideo]], [[C.A. Cerro|Cerro]] and [[Rampla Juniors]] in the [[Uruguayan Primera División]], as well as playing in the top divisions of football in Chile, Paraguay and Venezuela and the [[Primera Nacional|second division]] in Argentina. Abroad, he had brief spells in the English [[Premier League]] with [[West Bromwich Albion]] and French [[Ligue 1]] with [[Valenciennes FC|Valenciennes]].

Martínez played one game for [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] in 2003. He died by suicide in 2021 aged 38, while a player of [[Villa Teresa]].

==Club career==
===Defensor and West Browmwich===
Born in [[Montevideo]] and the holder of an [[Italian passport]],<ref name=italo/> Martínez began his professional career at [[Defensor Sporting]], where he became [[Captain (association football)|captain]]. On 31 January 2006, he moved to [[Premier League]] team [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on loan for the rest of the season with the option to make it permanent. Manager [[Bryan Robson]], who signed him on the recommendation of former Uruguay international striker [[Daniel Fonseca]], hoped that Martínez would be as good as fellow West Brom centre-back [[Curtis Davies]].<ref>{{cite news |title=WBA bring in Uruguayan defender |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/4667640.stm |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=31 January 2006}}</ref>

Martínez made his West Brom debut on 11 February 2006 in a 6–1 loss at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], coming on at half time as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] for [[Thomas Gaardsøe]]; he received a yellow card in the game, and afterwards, manager Robson called the entire defence "shocking".<ref>{{cite news |title=Fulham 6–1 West Brom |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4680546.stm |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2006}}</ref> His only other game was a start away at [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in which he scored to put his team 2–0 up, but also conceded a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] with a late foul on [[Mikel Arteta]], from which [[Duncan Ferguson]] scored the equaliser in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957452.stm |title=Everton 2–2 West Brom |publisher=BBC |date=7 May 2006 |accessdate=30 November 2009}}</ref>

===Valenciennes===
In January 2008, Martínez returned to Europe on a 2{{frac|1|2}}-year deal at [[Valenciennes FC]] of the French [[Ligue 1]], for a fee of €1.2 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Les tops et les flops des mercatos hivernaux du VAFC|trans-title=The tops and flops of VAFC's winter transfer windows |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/291166/article/2018-01-04/les-tops-et-les-flops-des-mercatos-hivernaux-du-vafc |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]] |date=4 January 2018 |language=French}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Duchesne |first1=Vincent |title=Belhadj file à Lens|trans-title=Belhadj heads to Lille |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/transferts/actualites/belhadj-file-a-lens-106118 |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[Le Figaro]] |date=6 January 2008 |language=French}}</ref> On his debut on 12 January, the team won 2–0 at home to [[AS Saint-Étienne]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kenigsberg |first1=Arnaud |title=VA comme en 2007|trans-title=VA like in 2007 |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/football/2008/01/12/02003-20080112ARTSPO00528-va-comme-en-.php |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=Le Figaro |date=12 January 2018 |language=French}}</ref> In his final game on 23 February, he and [[Le Mans FC]] player [[Anthony Le Tallec]] were [[Ejection (sports)|sent off]] for fighting in a brawl that started when Valenciennes' [[Steve Savidan]] scored while Le Mans' [[Romaric (footballer)|Romaric]] was lying injured; Le Mans won 2–1 away.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lyttleton |first1=Ben |title=Le Mans show fight for Europe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/26/europeanfootball.lyon |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 February 2008}}</ref>

For the 2008–09 season, Martínez was loaned to [[Stade de Reims]] in [[Ligue 2]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mianat |first1=Maxime |title=Prête pour l'allumage|trans-title=Ready to go |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/football/2008/07/31/02003-20080731ARTSPO00399-prete-pour-l-allumage.php |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=Le Figaro |date=31 July 2008 |language=French}}</ref>

===Return to South America===
In August 2009, Martínez returned to Defensor after cancelling his Valenciennes contract a year early, as he did not feature in the plans of manager [[Philippe Montanier]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Vuelve Williams Martínez |trans-title=Williams Martínez returns|url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Deportes/Vuelve-Williams-Martinez-uc89677 |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=Fútbol.uy |date=17 August 2009 |language=Spanish}}</ref> He was loaned a year later to [[Chacarita Juniors]] in the Argentine second-tier [[Primera Nacional]]. After two years in the [[Chilean Primera División]] with [[Huachipato FC]] and [[Club Deportivo Palestino]], he signed in January 2013 for [[Cerro Porteño]] in the [[Paraguayan Primera División]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Williams Martínez llega a cubrir un gran vacío en Cerro|trans-title=Williams Martínez arrives to fill a big hole in Cerro |url=https://www.paraguay.com/deportes/williams-martinez-llega-a-cubrir-un-gran-vacio-en-cerro-90610 |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=Paraguay.com |date=18 January 2013 |language=Spanish}}</ref> With the club, he made his debut in continental tournaments in the [[Copa Libertadores]]; on 14 February he scored a consolation in the opening 2–1 loss at Colombia's [[Deportes Tolima]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Tolima derrota a un pálido Cerro |url=https://www.abc.com.py/deportes/futbol/tolima-derrota-a-un-palido-cerro-539329.html |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[ABC Color]] |date=14 February 2013 |language=Spanish}}</ref> and on 7 March he was sent off in a home loss by the same score to [[Independiente Santa Fe]] from the same country.<ref>{{cite news |title=¡Triunfazo de Santa Fe en Asunción! Venció 1-2 a Cerro Porteño|trans-title=Massive triumph for Santa Fe in Asunción! They beat Cerro Porteño 1-2|url=https://www.futbolred.com/archivo/documento/CMS-12658022 |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=Fútbol Red |date=7 March 2013 |language=Spanish}}</ref>


After playing in the [[Uruguayan Primera División]] for [[Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo)]] and [[C.A. Cerro]], Martínez moved in January 2016 to [[Deportivo Táchira F.C.]] in the [[Venezuelan Primera División]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Williams Martínez reforzará la defensa del Táchira|trans-title=Williams Martínez will bolster Táchira's defence |url=https://noticias.com.ve/fuerza-vinotinto/williams-martinez-reforzara-la-defensa-del-tachira/ |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=Noticias.com.ve |date=8 January 2016 |language=Spanish}}</ref> Having not agreed on a renewal, he was released in June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Martínez y Moreno no seguirán en el Deportivo Táchira|trans-title=Martínez and Moreno will not continue at Deportivo Táchira |url=https://www.lavinotinto.com/martinez-y-moreno-no-seguiran-en-el-deportivo-tachira/ |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=La Vinotinto |date=14 June 2016 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
==Career==
Martínez signed on loan for [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] of the [[Premier League]] in January 2006 until the end of the season, and made his [[Premier League]] debut as a half-time substitute against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] at [[Craven Cottage]] on 11 February 2006, a 6–1 defeat. He scored his first goal for the English club on 7 May 2006, an away game at [[Everton F.C.|Everton]],<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957452.stm
|title=Everton 2–2 West Brom
|publisher=BBC
|date=7 May 2006 |accessdate=30 November 2009}}</ref> also his first start for the club, but was also to concede a late penalty that gave Everton a 2–2 draw.


Martínez returned to his country's top flight at [[Rampla Juniors]] and River Plate again. In February 2019, he made a return to European football leagues for the first time in nearly a decade, as the 36-year-old signed for [[AD Ceuta FC]] in the Spanish fourth-tier [[Tercera División]].<ref name=italo>{{cite news |title=El Ceuta ficha al veterano central ítalo-uruguayo Williams Martínez|trans-title=Ceuta sign Italo-Uruguayan veteran centre-back Williams Martínez |url=https://www.ceutadeportiva.com/2019/02/el-ceuta-ficha-al-veterano-central-italo-uruguayo-williams-martinez/ |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=Ceuta Deportiva |date=27 February 2019 |language=Spanish}}</ref> He went back to Rampla, now in the [[Uruguayan Segunda División]], and ended his career with [[Villa Teresa]] in the same league.<ref>{{cite news |title=Conmoción en Uruguay por suicidio del futbolista Williams Martínez|trans-title=Commotion in Uruguay after the suicide of footballer Williams Martínez |url=https://libero.pe/futbol-internacional/2021/07/18/williams-martinez-futbolista-se-suicida-en-uruguay-villa-teresa-segunda-division-noticia-9554 |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=Líbero |date=18 July 2023 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
In January 2008, he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with [[Valenciennes FC|Valenciennes]], and was loaned to [[Stade de Reims|Reims]] for the 2008-09 season. On 17 August 2009 upon his request, he was released by Valenciennes and signed by his former club [[Defensor Sporting]].


==International career==
==International career==
Martínez played one game for [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay national team]] on 4 February 2003 at the [[Lunar New Year Cup]]. Accompanying [[Diego Lugano]] in central defence, the team drew 1–1 in the final against [[Iran national football team|Iran]] in [[Hong Kong]] before winning 4–2 in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]].<ref>{{cite news |title=El día que Williams Martínez fue Celeste: empate con Irán y dupla con un joven Diego Lugano|trans-title=The day that Williams Martínez was Sky Blue: draw with Iran and tandem with a young Diego Lugano|url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/ovacion/futbol/el-dia-que-williams-martinez-fue-celeste-empate-con-iran-y-dupla-con-un-joven-diego-lugano |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[El País (Uruguay)]] |date=19 July 2021 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
He made his [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]]an debut in the 2003 [[Lunar New Year Cup]].

== Death ==
Martínez died on 17 July 2021 of suicide, aged 38, as a result of a depression caused by [[COVID-19]]-related inactivity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ex jugador de Palestino y Huachipato Williams Martínez falleció a los 38 años|trans-title=Former Palestino and Huachipato player Williams Martínez died aged 38|url=https://www.alairelibre.cl/noticias/deportes/futbol/ex-futbolistas/ex-jugador-de-palestino-y-huachipato-williams-martinez-fallecio-a-los-38/2021-07-17/223954.html|date=17 July 2021|access-date=18 July 2021|publisher=Al Aire Libre|language=Spanish}}</ref> The [[Uruguayan Football Association]] suspended matches all remaining fixtures of the weekend upon learning of his death.<ref>{{cite news |title=Se suspende el fútbol uruguayo tras el suicidio del futbolista Williams Martínez|trans-title=Uruguayan football suspended after the suicide of footballer Williams Martínez|url=https://as.com/futbol/2021/07/18/internacional/1626616911_344795.html |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=[[Diario AS]] |date=18 July 2021 |language=Spanish}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{BDFA|WILLIAMS-GUILLERMO-MARTINEZ-24685}}
* {{Soccerway|williams-guillermo-martinez-fracchia/21500}}
* [http://www.futbolestodo.com/futve/williams-martinez-es-el-nuevo-fichaje-del-deportivo-tachira/ futbolestodo profile]
* {{NFT}}
* {{NFT}}
* [http://www.tenfieldigital.com.uy/servlet/hprfchsj?1514,1367,2%2F1514%2F1367%2F,1,1318 tenfieldigital profile] {{es icon}}
* [http://www.tenfieldigital.com.uy/servlet/hprfchsj?1514,1367,2%2F1514%2F1367%2F,1,1318 tenfieldigital profile] {{in lang|es}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{LFP|id=martinez-williams}}
* {{LFP|martinez-williams}}

{{River Plate Montevideo squad}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Williams}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Williams}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Montevideo]]
[[Category:2021 suicides]]
[[Category:Uruguayan footballers]]
[[Category:Uruguayan sportspeople of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Montevideo]]
[[Category:Uruguay international footballers]]
[[Category:Uruguayan men's footballers]]
[[Category:Defensor Sporting Club players]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Uruguay men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Defensor Sporting players]]
[[Category:Chacarita Juniors footballers]]
[[Category:Chacarita Juniors footballers]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Valenciennes FC players]]
[[Category:Valenciennes FC players]]
[[Category:Stade de Reims players]]
[[Category:Stade de Reims players]]
[[Category:Huachipato footballers]]
[[Category:Huachipato FC footballers]]
[[Category:Club Deportivo Palestino players]]
[[Category:Club Deportivo Palestino footballers]]
[[Category:Cerro Porteño players]]
[[Category:Cerro Porteño players]]
[[Category:River Plate Montevideo players]]
[[Category:Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo) players]]
[[Category:C.A. Cerro players]]
[[Category:C.A. Cerro players]]
[[Category:Deportivo Táchira players]]
[[Category:Deportivo Táchira F.C. players]]
[[Category:AD Ceuta FC players]]
[[Category:Rampla Juniors players]]
[[Category:Rampla Juniors players]]
[[Category:Villa Teresa players]]
[[Category:Uruguayan Primera División players]]
[[Category:Uruguayan Primera División players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Primera Nacional players]]
[[Category:Chilean Primera División players]]
[[Category:Chilean Primera División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Chile]]
[[Category:Paraguayan Primera División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:Venezuelan Primera División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Paraguay]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in England]]
[[Category:Uruguayan Segunda División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in France]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Chile]]
[[Category:Uruguayan people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriates in Chile]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Paraguay]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriates in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriates in Argentina]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriates in Paraguay]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriates in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Association football defenders]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in Chile]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in England]]

[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in Argentina]]

[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in Paraguay]]
{{Uruguay-footy-defender-stub}}
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Uruguayan expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Suicides in Uruguay]]
[[Category:Sportspeople who died by suicide]]

Latest revision as of 00:18, 3 September 2024

For another Uruguayan footballer, see William Martínez (footballer).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Fracchia.
Williams Martínez
Personal information
Full name Williams Guillermo Martínez Fracchia
Date of birth (1982-12-18)18 December 1982
Place of birth Montevideo, Uruguay
Date of death 17 July 2021(2021-07-17) (aged 38)
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
Defensor Sporting
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Defensor Sporting 93 (8)
2003 → Ferro Carril (loan)
2006 → West Brom (loan) 2 (1)
2008–2009 Valenciennes 7 (0)
2008–2009 → Reims (loan) 17 (0)
2009–2011 Defensor Sporting 23 (0)
2010–2011 → Chacarita Juniors (loan) 26 (0)
2011–2012 Huachipato 13 (0)
2012–2013 Palestino 26 (0)
2013–2014 Cerro Porteño 0 (0)
2014–2015 River Plate Montevideo 25 (1)
2015–2016 Cerro 30 (2)
2016 Deportivo Táchira 15 (0)
2016 Rampla Juniors 13 (0)
2017–2018 River Plate Montevideo 59 (4)
2019 Ceuta 6 (1)
2020–2021 Rampla Juniors 20 (0)
2021 Villa Teresa 3 (0)
International career
2003 Uruguay 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Williams Martínez Fracchia (18 December 1982 – 17 July 2021) was a Uruguayan professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

He played for Defensor Sporting, River Plate Montevideo, Cerro and Rampla Juniors in the Uruguayan Primera División, as well as playing in the top divisions of football in Chile, Paraguay and Venezuela and the second division in Argentina. Abroad, he had brief spells in the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and French Ligue 1 with Valenciennes.

Martínez played one game for Uruguay in 2003. He died by suicide in 2021 aged 38, while a player of Villa Teresa.

Club career

[edit]

Defensor and West Browmwich

[edit]

Born in Montevideo and the holder of an Italian passport,[1] Martínez began his professional career at Defensor Sporting, where he became captain. On 31 January 2006, he moved to Premier League team West Bromwich Albion on loan for the rest of the season with the option to make it permanent. Manager Bryan Robson, who signed him on the recommendation of former Uruguay international striker Daniel Fonseca, hoped that Martínez would be as good as fellow West Brom centre-back Curtis Davies.[2]

Martínez made his West Brom debut on 11 February 2006 in a 6–1 loss at Fulham, coming on at half time as a substitute for Thomas Gaardsøe; he received a yellow card in the game, and afterwards, manager Robson called the entire defence "shocking".[3] His only other game was a start away at Everton in which he scored to put his team 2–0 up, but also conceded a penalty with a late foul on Mikel Arteta, from which Duncan Ferguson scored the equaliser in a 2–2 draw.[4]

Valenciennes

[edit]

In January 2008, Martínez returned to Europe on a 21⁄2-year deal at Valenciennes FC of the French Ligue 1, for a fee of €1.2 million.[5][6] On his debut on 12 January, the team won 2–0 at home to AS Saint-Étienne.[7] In his final game on 23 February, he and Le Mans FC player Anthony Le Tallec were sent off for fighting in a brawl that started when Valenciennes' Steve Savidan scored while Le Mans' Romaric was lying injured; Le Mans won 2–1 away.[8]

For the 2008–09 season, Martínez was loaned to Stade de Reims in Ligue 2.[9]

Return to South America

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In August 2009, Martínez returned to Defensor after cancelling his Valenciennes contract a year early, as he did not feature in the plans of manager Philippe Montanier.[10] He was loaned a year later to Chacarita Juniors in the Argentine second-tier Primera Nacional. After two years in the Chilean Primera División with Huachipato FC and Club Deportivo Palestino, he signed in January 2013 for Cerro Porteño in the Paraguayan Primera División.[11] With the club, he made his debut in continental tournaments in the Copa Libertadores; on 14 February he scored a consolation in the opening 2–1 loss at Colombia's Deportes Tolima,[12] and on 7 March he was sent off in a home loss by the same score to Independiente Santa Fe from the same country.[13]

After playing in the Uruguayan Primera División for Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo) and C.A. Cerro, Martínez moved in January 2016 to Deportivo Táchira F.C. in the Venezuelan Primera División.[14] Having not agreed on a renewal, he was released in June.[15]

Martínez returned to his country's top flight at Rampla Juniors and River Plate again. In February 2019, he made a return to European football leagues for the first time in nearly a decade, as the 36-year-old signed for AD Ceuta FC in the Spanish fourth-tier Tercera División.[1] He went back to Rampla, now in the Uruguayan Segunda División, and ended his career with Villa Teresa in the same league.[16]

International career

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Martínez played one game for Uruguay national team on 4 February 2003 at the Lunar New Year Cup. Accompanying Diego Lugano in central defence, the team drew 1–1 in the final against Iran in Hong Kong before winning 4–2 in a penalty shootout.[17]

Death

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Martínez died on 17 July 2021 of suicide, aged 38, as a result of a depression caused by COVID-19-related inactivity.[18] The Uruguayan Football Association suspended matches all remaining fixtures of the weekend upon learning of his death.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "El Ceuta ficha al veterano central ítalo-uruguayo Williams Martínez" [Ceuta sign Italo-Uruguayan veteran centre-back Williams Martínez] (in Spanish). Ceuta Deportiva. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  2. ^ "WBA bring in Uruguayan defender". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Fulham 6–1 West Brom". BBC Sport. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Everton 2–2 West Brom". BBC. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  5. ^ "Les tops et les flops des mercatos hivernaux du VAFC" [The tops and flops of VAFC's winter transfer windows]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 4 January 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  6. ^ Duchesne, Vincent (6 January 2008). "Belhadj file à Lens" [Belhadj heads to Lille]. Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. ^ Kenigsberg, Arnaud (12 January 2018). "VA comme en 2007" [VA like in 2007]. Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. ^ Lyttleton, Ben (26 February 2008). "Le Mans show fight for Europe". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  9. ^ Mianat, Maxime (31 July 2008). "Prête pour l'allumage" [Ready to go]. Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Vuelve Williams Martínez" [Williams Martínez returns] (in Spanish). Fútbol.uy. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Williams Martínez llega a cubrir un gran vacío en Cerro" [Williams Martínez arrives to fill a big hole in Cerro] (in Spanish). Paraguay.com. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Tolima derrota a un pálido Cerro". ABC Color (in Spanish). 14 February 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  13. ^ "¡Triunfazo de Santa Fe en Asunción! Venció 1-2 a Cerro Porteño" [Massive triumph for Santa Fe in Asunción! They beat Cerro Porteño 1-2] (in Spanish). Fútbol Red. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Williams Martínez reforzará la defensa del Táchira" [Williams Martínez will bolster Táchira's defence] (in Spanish). Noticias.com.ve. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Martínez y Moreno no seguirán en el Deportivo Táchira" [Martínez and Moreno will not continue at Deportivo Táchira] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Conmoción en Uruguay por suicidio del futbolista Williams Martínez" [Commotion in Uruguay after the suicide of footballer Williams Martínez]. Líbero (in Spanish). 18 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  17. ^ "El día que Williams Martínez fue Celeste: empate con Irán y dupla con un joven Diego Lugano" [The day that Williams Martínez was Sky Blue: draw with Iran and tandem with a young Diego Lugano]. El País (Uruguay) (in Spanish). 19 July 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Ex jugador de Palestino y Huachipato Williams Martínez falleció a los 38 años" [Former Palestino and Huachipato player Williams Martínez died aged 38] (in Spanish). Al Aire Libre. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Se suspende el fútbol uruguayo tras el suicidio del futbolista Williams Martínez" [Uruguayan football suspended after the suicide of footballer Williams Martínez]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 18 July 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
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