Martin Christensen Braithwaite (/ˈbræθwt/;[3] born 5 June 1991) is a Danish professional footballer who plays for Brasileirão club Grêmio and the Denmark national team. He plays mainly as a striker, but he can also play as a winger.

Martin Braithwaite
Braithwaite in 2021
Personal information
Full name Martin Christensen Braithwaite[1]
Date of birth (1991-06-05) 5 June 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Esbjerg, Denmark
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker, Winger
Team information
Current team
Grémio
Number 22
Youth career
SGI
2003–2007 Esbjerg fB
2007 Midtjylland
2007–2009 Esbjerg fB
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Esbjerg fB 89 (18)
2013–2017 Toulouse 136 (35)
2017–2019 Middlesbrough 36 (8)
2018Bordeaux (loan) 14 (4)
2019Leganés (loan) 19 (4)
2019–2020 Leganés 24 (6)
2020-2022 Barcelona 44 (5)
2022–2024 Espanyol 70 (31)
2024– Grémio 18 (8)
International career
2008 Denmark U17 3 (0)
2009–2010 Denmark U19 11 (2)
2012–2013 Denmark U21 2 (0)
2013– Denmark 69 (10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:03, 7 September 2023 (UTC)

Having begun his career at Esbjerg fB, he went on to play for Toulouse and Bordeaux in Ligue 1, and Leganés and Barcelona of La Liga. He also spent two years in England with Middlesbrough.

Braithwaite made his senior international debut for Denmark in 2013 and has earned over 60 caps. He was part of their squads at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals of the 2020 tournament.

Club career

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Esbjerg fB

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Braithwaite started out in the academy at Sædding-Guldager Idrætsforening (SGI), after which he joined the biggest club in his city, Esbjerg fB. He then spent a short time at FC Midtjylland's sports academy, before moving back to Esbjerg, signing a three-year youth contract in 2007.[4] During his second stint at the Esbjerg academy, Braithwaite went on trials with both Reggina and Newcastle United.[5][6] He eventually made his Esbjerg debut in 2009, making 63 Superliga appearances for the club and scoring 12 goals, including nine in the 2012–13 season during which he appeared in every league game for the club.[7] He won the Danish Cup with the club in 2012–13, scoring two goals in the semi-final second leg win over Brøndby.[8]

Following his impressive displays for Esbjerg in the 2013 Superliga spring season and the Danish Cup he was called up to the Danish national squad in the summer of 2013. At the same time he was being rumoured to be attracting the interest of a number of European clubs including Auxerre, Rennes, Celtic and Hull City.[9][10][11]

Toulouse

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On 14 August 2013, while away on national duty for a friendly international against Poland, Danish public broadcaster DR reported that Braithwaite had been sold to French club Toulouse for an estimated DKK 15 million (roughly €2 million).[12]

Braithwaite scored a career-best 11 league goals in both 2015–16 and 2016–17. His tally for the latter campaign included two goals in a 4–1 home win over rivals Bordeaux in the Derby de la Garonne on 20 August 2016, and another two on 14 October in a 3–1 win over eventual champions Monaco, also at the Stadium de Toulouse.[13][14]

Middlesbrough

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On 13 July 2017, Braithwaite signed a four-year contract with EFL Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £9 million.[15] Under the initial management of Garry Monk,[16] he became the club's third signing of the season, after Jonny Howson and Cyrus Christie.[17][18] Braithwaite made his league debut for the club on 5 August 2017 at the Molineux Stadium, where Middlesbrough were defeated 1–0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers.[19] He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September 2017, in a 2–2 draw against Brentford at the Riverside Stadium.[20]

Braithwaite was loaned out to his former club Toulouse's rivals Bordeaux on 31 January 2018 for the rest of the season.[21] He scored four goals during his time there, including two in a 4–2 home derby win over his previous employer on 12 May.[22] He returned to Middlesbrough for the 2018–19 season, but quickly expressed his desire to leave the club and go to Spain to play instead. This was much to the dismay of Boro manager, Tony Pulis.[23] After his unsuccessful attempt to leave the club in the 2018 summer transfer window, Braithwaite played the first half of the season for Middlesbrough, scoring three goals in 18 appearances.[citation needed]

Leganés

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Braithwaite joined La Liga side CD Leganés at the beginning of the 2019 January transfer window on a loan deal until the end of season.[24] He made his league debut for the club on 12 January, in a 1–0 victory against SD Huesca, coming on as a substitute for Guido Carrillo for the last 26 minutes, and scored his first goal four days later in a 1–0 Copa del Rey home win against Real Madrid.[25]

Braithwaite scored his first league goal in a 1–3 loss at FC Barcelona on 20 January 2019, and finished the campaign with four goals in 19 league appearances. On 24 July, he agreed to a permanent four-year deal with the Pepineros for a rumoured fee of €5 million, hence becoming the second most expensive player in the club's history.[26][27]

Barcelona

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On 20 February 2020, Barcelona triggered Braithwaite's release clause of €18 million and signed him on a four-and-a-half-year contract. His release clause was set to €300 million.[28] Barcelona were granted an emergency exception to sign Braithwaite outside of a transfer window because of the long-term injury to Ousmane Dembélé.[29] Two days after signing, Braithwaite made his debut in a home match against Eibar, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute. He assisted the fourth and fifth goals in the 5–0 win, both off deflections.[30] On 13 June 2020, Braithwaite scored his first goal for Barcelona following an assist by Lionel Messi in a 4–0 victory against RCD Mallorca.[31][32]

On 24 November 2020, Braithwaite scored his first two Champions League goals in a 4–0 away win over Dynamo Kyiv, a match in which he also had an assist, in the 2020–21 season.[33] On 2 December, he scored his third goal in the competition in the first half of the match against Ferencváros.[34] On 3 March 2021, he scored the winning goal in a 3–0 win over Sevilla after extra time to secure Barcelona's place in the 2021 Copa del Rey Final.[35]

On 15 August 2021, Braithwaite scored a brace and assisted teammate Sergi Roberto's goal in Barcelona's opening-day match of the 2021–22 season; a 4–2 home win against Real Sociedad.[36] The following month, he was ruled out for three to four months with a knee cartilage injury against Getafe CF; fellow attackers Dembélé, Ansu Fati and Sergio Agüero were already injured, while Messi had left and Antoine Griezmann was out on loan.[37]

On 1 September 2022, Braithwaite terminated his contract with Barcelona effective immediately.[38]

Espanyol

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On 1 September 2022, Braithwaite signed a three-year contract with Espanyol as a free agent.[39] On 4 September, he scored a goal on his debut in a 1–0 away victory over Athletic Bilbao.[40] Following the club's relegation in the 2022–23 season, Braithwaite left the club's preseason camp in Marbella without any notice due to his wishes of not playing in the Segunda División and possibly considering retirement.[41][42] In discussion of disciplinary action, Espanyol offered the forward to Osasuna with a potential exchange for Kike García.[43] Braithwaite's representatives put in offers towards Ligue 1 clubs with Lens and Metz having their offers rejected for not meeting their terms.[44] He eventually remained at the club, scoring 22 goals in the 2023–24 season, as top scorer of the second division.[45] He left Espanyol on 15 July 2024 after executing a contract clause to terminate his contract unilaterally.

Grêmio

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On 22 July 2024, Grêmio reached an agreement to sign Braithwaite. He arrived in Porto Alegre shortly after where he passed his medical examinations and signed a contract.[46] There, he was seen as Luis Suárez' replacement.[47] He made his debut on 11 August in a memorable match. During a 3–1 away victory against Cuiabá, he scored both an own goal and a brace, playing a crucial role in Grêmio's win.[48][49]

International career

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Having already represented several Danish national youth teams, in the summer of 2012, Braithwaite was offered the chance to represent Guyana, being eligible through his Guyanese father. He declined the offer[50] and went on to make his senior debut for the Danish national team in June 2013 in a friendly against Georgia, starting the game and playing the first half. He remained in the squad for the 2014 World Cup qualification match against Armenia.[51] Braithwaite scored his first international goal in his second match in a friendly in August 2013 against Poland.[52]

In May 2018, he was named in Denmark's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[53] On 16 October that year, he scored in a 2–0 friendly win over Austria, ending a five-year goal drought.[54]

Braithwaite was part of the Danish squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021. He scored the last goal of their 4–0 last-16 win over Wales in Amsterdam.[55] On 7 November 2022, he was selected in the Danish squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[56]

Personal life

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Braithwaite has a Guyanese father[57] and his younger sister Mathilde (born 2002) plays football for KoldingQ and for Denmark's U-16 national women's football team.[58] His father Keith's birth surname was Brathwaite, the more common spelling in the Caribbean, but it was changed by US authorities to Braithwaite when Keith arrived in the country.[3]

When Braithwaite was 5 years old he was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.[59]

Braithwaite is the nephew and business partner of the Danish-born, American-based, real estate developer Gareth Roger James Smith.[60][61] They co-own real estate in the New York Market and are building a high-rise in Jersey City, New Jersey.[62][63]

Braithwaite is married to French entrepreneur, journalist and television personality Anne-Laure Louis Braithwaite. They have two sons and a daughter together. He is also the stepfather of his wife's two children from a previous relationship.[64]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 8 December 2024[65][66]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Esbjerg fB 2009–10 Danish Superliga 10 0 0 0 10 0
2010–11 16 0 2 0 18 0
2011–12 Danish 1st Division 26 5 1 0 27 5
2012–13 Danish Superliga 33 9 5 2 38 11
2013–14 4 3 0 0 4 3
Total 89 17 8 2 97 19
Toulouse 2013–14 Ligue 1 32 7 2 1 2 0 36 8
2014–15 34 6 1 0 1 0 36 6
2015–16 36 11 2 2 3 1 41 14
2016–17 34 11 1 0 1 1 36 12
Total 136 35 6 3 7 2 149 40
Middlesbrough 2017–18 Championship 19 5 2 1 0 0 21 6
2018–19 17 3 0 0 2 0 19 3
Total 36 8 2 1 2 0 40 9
Bordeaux (loan) 2017–18 Ligue 1 14 4 0 0 0 0 14 4
Leganés (loan) 2018–19 La Liga 19 4 2 1 21 5
Leganés 2019–20 24 6 3 2 27 8
Total 43 10 5 3 48 13
Barcelona 2019–20 La Liga 11 1 0 0 11 1
2020–21 29 2 5 2 6[c] 3 2[d] 0 42 7
2021–22 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 2
Total 44 5 6 2 6 3 2 0 58 10
Espanyol 2022–23 La Liga 31 10 2 0 33 10
2023–24 Segunda División 39 22 2 0 4[e] 0 45 22
Total 70 32 4 0 4 0 78 32
Grêmio 2024 Série A 18 8 0 0 2[f] 0 20 8
Career total 450 119 31 11 9 2 8 3 6 0 504 135

International

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As of match played 7 September 2023[67]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Denmark 2013 5 1
2014 2 0
2015 5 0
2016 2 0
2017 3 0
2018 12 2
2019 10 4
2020 7 0
2021 10 3
2022 8 0
2023 5 0
Total 69 10
Denmark's score listed first, score column indicates score after each Braithwaite goal.[67]
List of international goals scored by Martin Braithwaite
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 14 August 2013 PGE Arena Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland 2   Poland 2–1 2–3 Friendly
2 16 October 2018 MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark 27   Austria 2–0 2–0 Friendly
3 16 November 2018 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 28   Wales 2–0 2–1 2018–19 UEFA Nations League B
4 10 June 2019 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 33   Georgia 5–1 5–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
5 15 October 2019 Aalborg Stadium, Aalborg, Denmark 37   Luxembourg 1–0 4–0 Friendly
6 15 November 2019 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 38   Gibraltar 3–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
7 18 November 2019 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 39   Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
8 25 March 2021 Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel 47   Israel 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 6 June 2021 Brøndby Stadium, Brøndby, Denmark 50   Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 2–0 Friendly
10 26 June 2021 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands 54   Wales 4–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2020

Honours

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Esbjerg fB

Barcelona

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Middlesbrough" (PDF). English Football League. p. 23. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Denmark" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Martin Braithwaite explica cómo se pronuncia su nombre y ¡reacciona a nuestro vídeo!". Sport (in Spanish). 7 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  4. ^ bold.dk (12 October 2007). "Esbjerg skriver med Braithwaite". bold.dk.
  5. ^ bold.dk (16 November 2007). "Reggina tester Esbjerg-talenter". bold.dk.
  6. ^ bold.dk (21 July 2008). "Esbjerg-talent glad for engelsk prøvetræning". bold.dk.
  7. ^ Martin Braithwaite, Danskfodbold.com. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  8. ^ Pedersen, Johan Lyngholm (18 April 2013). "Braithwaite sender Brøndby ud i mørket efter pokaldrama". B.T. (in Danish). Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  9. ^ bold.dk (8 August 2013). "Medie: EfB'er varm i England og Skotland". bold.dk.
  10. ^ bold.dk (13 August 2013). "Braithwaite kender til fransk interesse". bold.dk.
  11. ^ Slevison, Andrew (9 August 2013). "Celtic and Hull City keen on Esbjerg's Braithwaite". Tribal Football.
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  13. ^ "Ligue 1: Toulouse, puissance quatre contre Bordeaux" [Ligue 1: Toulouse, to the power of four against Bordeaux]. L'Express (in French). 21 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  14. ^ Stival, Nicolas (14 October 2016). "TFC: Maladroit à Caen, Martin Braithwaite s'est vengé en coulant Monaco" [TFC: Clumsy against Caen, Martin Braithwaite made up for himself by sinking Monaco]. 20 minutes (in French). Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Martin Braithwaite: Middlesbrough sign Denmark forward from Toulouse". BBC Sport. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Middlesbrough appoint Monk as new manager". Reuters. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Cyrus Christie Set For Boro Medical". Middlesbrough Official Site. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Boro Set To Swoop For Jonny Howson". Middlesbrough Official Site. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  19. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Middlesbrough 2-2 Brentford". BBC Sport. 30 September 2017.
  21. ^ Officielt: Braithwaite til Bordeaux‚ bold.dk, 31 January 2018
  22. ^ Coignac, Thomas (12 May 2018). "Ligue 1 : Bordeaux punit Toulouse et s'offre une finale pour l'Europe (4-2)" [Ligue 1: Bordeaux punish Toulouse and offer themselves a final for Europe (4-2)] (in French). France Bleu. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  23. ^ Martin Braithwaite: Middlesbrough striker wants to leave club for Spain, bbc.co.uk, 30 August 2019
  24. ^ Middlesbrough's Martin Braithwaite joins Leganes on loan Sky Sports, 3 January 2019
  25. ^ "CD Leganés 1–0 Real Madrid". eurosport.com. 16 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Braithwaite Joins Leganes". Middlesbrough FC. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  27. ^ "C.D. Leganés signs the goals of Martin Braithwaite". CD Leganés. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "FC Barcelona sign Martin Braithwaite". FC Barcelona. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Martin Braithwaite: Barcelona make emergency signing from Leganes". BBC Sport. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  30. ^ "Barcelona 5–0 Eibar: Lionel Messi scores four in thumping win". BBC Sport. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Griezmann should be worried: Braithwaite a better fit for Barcelona attack right now". Goal. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  32. ^ ""He is the striker that Barcelona need" – Five things learned from the Blaugrana's 4–0 battering of Mallorca". Squawka. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Dynamo Kyiv 0–4 Barcelona". UEFA. 24 November 2020.
  34. ^ Carmen Torres, M. (3 December 2020). "A purple patch for Griezmann and Braithwaite". MARCA in English. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  35. ^ "FC Barcelona 3–0 Sevilla FC". La Liga. 3 March 2021.
  36. ^ "Barcelona vs Real Sociedad live ticker in LaLiga". FotMob. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  37. ^ Feldman, Ben (12 September 2021). "Serious injury could rule Braithwaite out for four months". Marca. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  38. ^ "Agreement to terminate Martin Braithwaite's contract with FC Barcelona". www.fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Braithwaite signs for Espanyol". RCD Espanyol. 1 September 2022.
  40. ^ "Braithwaite comes through with winner in Espanyol debut". Associated Press. 4 September 2022.
  41. ^ "Braithwaite abandona la concentración del Espanyol y busca una salida... o la retirada". Relevo (in Spanish). 25 July 2023.
  42. ^ Barlow, Ruairidh (25 July 2023). "Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite goes AWOL from Espanyol camp in protest". Football España.
  43. ^ "Me llega, me cuentan, me confirman: Hojbjerg es prioridad para el Atlético y el Espanyol plantea un intercambio a Osasuna con Braithwaite". Relevo (in Spanish). 10 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Dudas e incógnitas en la recta final del mercado: la nueva oferta por César Montes; no al intento del Lille por Braithwaite; Antonio Sánchez no es opción para el Espanyol". Lagrada (in European Spanish). 29 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Spanish LaLiga Hypermotion Top Scorers 2023/24". La Liga. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  46. ^ Teixeira, João Victor (22 July 2024). "Grêmio anuncia a contratação de dinamarquês ex-Barcelona". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Bilionário: reforço do Grêmio, Braithwaite, já esteve entre os mais ricos da lista da Forbes". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Braithwaite får mærkværdig debut". TV 2 Sport (in Danish). 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Atuações do Grêmio: Braithwaite marca duas vezes e é o melhor na vitória sobre o Cuiabá". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  50. ^ bold.dk (18 July 2012). "Esbjerg-profil takker nej til landshold". bold.dk.
  51. ^ bold.dk (17 May 2013). "EfB-duo og Stryger i Olsens hat". bold.dk.
  52. ^ "TV: Esbjerg-stjerne header Danmark foran" [TV: Esbjerg star heads Denmark ahead] (in Danish). TV2. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  53. ^ Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – Final 23-man lists". Goal.com.
  54. ^ "Middlesbrough news: Young striker nets a hat-trick for England, Martin Braithwaite scores for Denmark plus Checkatrade Trophy exit". Hartlepool Mail. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  55. ^ "Denmark end Wales' Euro 2020 dreams as Dolberg double caps dominant win". The Observer. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  56. ^ "De første spillere til VM-truppen er fundet" [The first players for the World Cup squad have been selected] (in Danish). Danish Football Association. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  57. ^ "Martin Braithwaite: Middlesbrough sign Denmark forward from Toulouse". BBC. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  58. ^ "Debut til Mathilde Braithwaite på U16 Pigelandsholdet..." KoldingQ. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  59. ^ "Braithwaite: 'I broke my leg at 18. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me'". Tribuna.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  60. ^ Pettigrove, Jason (20 February 2020). "New Barcelona Signing Martin Braithwaite And His Uncle Just Broke Ground On Smart Home Project In Philadelphia". Forbes. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  61. ^ Mazariegos, Luis (1 March 2020). "Braithwaite could start El Clásico for Barcelona". barcablaugranes.com. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  62. ^ "World Cup Star Reveals His Favorite Investment Strategy". blackenterprise.com. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  63. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: World Cup Star Reveals His No. 1 Investment Strategy (And It's Brilliant)". wealthlab.co. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  64. ^ Erik Lagerstorf, Nicklas (21 April 2020). "Martin Braithwaite has become a father again". Se og Hør. seoghoer.dk. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  65. ^ "MARTIN BRAITHWAITE L'EQUIPE Profile". L'Equipe. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  66. ^ Martin Braithwaite at Soccerway
  67. ^ a b Martin Braithwaite at National-Football-Teams.com
  68. ^ a b "Martin Braithwaite". footballdatabase.eu.
  69. ^ Lowe, Sid (17 April 2021). "Messi stars as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao to lift Copa del Rey". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  70. ^ "Martin Braithwaite named LALIGA HYPERMOTION Player of the Month for February". 1 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
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