Lucky winner Martinez

Numancia midfielder Mario Martinez won 150,000 euros in Spain's Christmas lottery, Spanish media reported yesterday. The player, who Marca said earned around 200,000 euros a year, said he could not believe his luck. "I never play the lottery except the...

Numancia midfielder Mario Martinez won 150,000 euros in Spain's Christmas lottery, Spanish media reported yesterday. The player, who Marca said earned around 200,000 euros a year, said he could not believe his luck.

"I never play the lottery except the Christmas one because it's especially exciting," he told the paper.

The lottery success caps a fine year for the 23-year-old. He scored the winning goal in Numancia's 1-0 victory over Barcelona on the opening day of the season, the only defeat the Catalans have suffered this term.

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