Martins was born in Alhos Vedros, Moita, Setúbal District.

Os Belenenses, appearing in more than 600 matches as a professional, 310 in the Primeira Liga alone.

[2][1] On 28 May 1989, Martins' Belenenses won the Taça de Portugal by defeating his former club Benfica 2–1 at the Estádio Nacional.

[3] Martins was a participant at UEFA Euro 1984 and the 1986 FIFA World Cup, as a backup to Manuel Bento in the former tournament – he was also his reserve during his two-year spell at Benfica – and third-choice in the latter behind Bento and Vítor Damas.

[4] Martins was nicknamed Rambo and Stallone, due to physical similarities with the American actor and the fictional character he portrayed.