The Journeyman Who Became A King
Alex Martins Ferreira is a compelling testament to perseverance, a player who redefined his legacy late in his career. For a decade, the Brazilian centre-forward was a quintessential journeyman, navigating the competitive leagues of Japan, South Korea, and China with solid, if unspectacular, results. But his 2023 arrival in Indonesia’s Liga 1 marked a dramatic transformation. Leveraging his imposing 1.87m frame, aerial dominance, and lethal instincts as an archetypal No. 9, Martins exploded, evolving from a role player into the league’s most feared goal scorer. His journey from a globetrotting forward to a Golden Boot-winning superstar serves as a powerful case study in how the right tactical environment can unlock a player’s true potential.
The Story So Far
The professional journey of Alex Martins Ferreira is a story told in two distinct, contrasting halves: the persistent globetrotter and the dominant icon. His career began quietly, with a brief, two-appearance stint in Japan’s J.League Division 2 with Shonan Bellmare in 2012. This was followed by an unstable period back in Brazil, marked by short-term moves at clubs like Roma Esporte Apucarana and Rio Verde, offering limited opportunities.
In 2016, Martins returned to Asia, embarking on a formative six-year journey that would see him establish himself across the top three East Asian leagues. He found his first real measure of stability in Japan’s J3 League with Fukushima United, gaining consistent first-team football. This was followed by moves to Kagoshima United, a loan to Shanghai Shenxin in China, and a pivotal 2021 transfer to Jeonnam Dragons in South Korea. While his goal return remained modest, his time in Korea was marked by a significant collective triumph: winning the 2021 South Korean Cup. He closed his East Asian tour with a productive half-season at Shanghai Jiading Huilong, scoring 7 goals in 13 matches—a hint of the prolificacy to come.
The most significant turning point of his career occurred in January 2023, when he signed for Indonesian Liga 1 side Bhayangkara FC. At 29, Martins’ arrival was sensational. He scored an astonishing 11 goals in just 13 matches for the second half of the season, immediately announcing himself as one of the most lethal strikers in the country. This explosive debut earned him a high-profile transfer to Dewa United in July 2023. It was here he truly became a superstar. He not only sustained his form but elevated it, becoming the focal point of the attack and winning the Liga 1 Golden Boot, cementing his status as the undisputed top scorer in Indonesian football.
Style of Play & Tactical Analysis
Alex Martins is an archetypal centre-forward, a classic No. 9 specialist whose game is built on physical presence and clinical finishing. His entire career has been spent leading the attacking line, with his skill set honed for the singular purpose of scoring goals.
His key strengths are built upon his imposing physical framework. Standing at 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in), he possesses a significant advantage over defenders, allowing him to dominate aerial duels, hold up play, and act as a prime target for crosses and set-piece deliveries.
While physically dominant, Martins’ most potent weapon is his exceptional efficiency in front of goal. He is a pure “Penalty Box Predator,” excelling at intelligent movement, anticipation, and positioning to be in the right place at the right time. He is not a striker who creates his own chances with long dribbles; rather, his game is predicated on finding space inside the 18-yard box and applying a decisive, clinical finish.
At Dewa United, his tactical function is clear: he is the offensive spearhead. The team’s system is structured to maximize his strengths, giving midfielders and wingers a clear objective to deliver quality service into the penalty area. His presence as a reliable, dominant finisher liberates creative players around him, making him not just a goalscorer, but a crucial tactical enabler for his entire team.
Future Outlook
Now in his early 30s, Alex Martins is firmly in his prime as one of Southeast Asia’s most feared strikers. Having secured his place at Dewa United, his immediate future is clear. The primary challenge will be maintaining the elite physical standards that his game relies upon. As the reigning Golden Boot winner and the undisputed focal point of his team’s attack, the dependency on his form and fitness is immense. Fans and analysts will be watching to see if he can sustain this remarkable late-career proliferation and lead Dewa United to glory, both domestically in the Super League and on the continental stage in the AFC Challenge League.
The Trophy Case (Honours)
Team
- South Korean Cup: 2021 (with Jeonnam Dragons)
Individual
- Liga 1 Top Goalscorer: 2024–25
- Liga 1 Team of the Season: 2024–25
- APPI Indonesian Football Award Best Forward: 2024–25
- APPI Indonesian Football Award Best 11: 2024–25
- Liga 1 Player of the Month: January 2025, March 2025
The Record (Career Statistics)
| Season | Club | Country | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2012 | Shonan Bellmare | Japan | J.League Div. 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Fukushima United | Japan | J3 League | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | Fukushima United | Japan | Emperor’s Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Fukushima United | Japan | J3 League | 17 | 5 | 1 |
| 2018 | Kagoshima United | Japan | J3 League | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Tochigi SC | Japan | J2 League | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | Tochigi SC | Japan | Emperor’s Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Shanghai Shenxin | China | China League One | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| 2021 | Jeonnam Dragons | South Korea | K League 2 | 18 | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 | Jeonnam Dragons | South Korea | Korean FA Cup | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 | Shanghai Jiading Huilong | China | China League One | 13 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 | Shanghai Jiading Huilong | China | Chinese FA Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Bhayangkara FC | Indonesia | Liga 1 | 13 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Dewa United | Indonesia | Liga 1 | 33 | 21 | 3 |
| 2024-25 | Dewa United | Indonesia | Liga 1 | 25 | 26 | 5 |
| 2025 | Dewa United | Indonesia | President Cup | 3 | 1 | 0 |