An American football player suddenly quit his job after selling an ultra-rare Pokemon card for for over $600,000. Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Blake Martinez announced his retirement on Instagram, saying he had chosen to step away from the game to focus on his 'family and future passions' but did not say the exact reason why.
However, eagle eyed fans have put two and two together and pointed to posts on his page where he dropped off one of the rarest Pokémon cards in the world to a trading page and another about his love for collecting Pokémon. According to reports, 28-year-old Martinez sold the card for a whopping $672,000 (£570,000) at an auction earlier this month.
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The statement, which he released on his Instagram on Saturday, said: "I’m announcing my retirement from the game of football! I had an amazing journey with some incredible franchises, and made lifelong friendships. I have chosen to step away from this career at this time to focus on my family and future passions! I am excited for this new journey and appreciate all the fans and organizations that have supported me throughout the years!"
During his interview with collectable marketplace, Goldin, Martinez spoke about how he started collecting cards as a child and reignited his childhood passion during the pandemic. His love of Pokémon prompted him to set up an official business selling the collectables.
Blake's card was an 'Illustrator' Pikachu card which is extremely rare and expensive. Youtuber Logan Paul is the owner of the most expensive Pikachu Illustrator in the world, which he bought for an eye-watering $5.275 million in July 2021.
If you are an avid Pokémon card collector you could be sitting on a goldmine too! Here are a list of the most expensive and rare Pokémon cards in the world.
1. Pikachu Illustrator - Sold for $5.275 million in July 2021
2. 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4 - Sold for $420,000 in March 2022
3. Pokémon Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram - Sold for $360,000 in January 2021
4. Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card - Sold for $247,230 in April 2021
5. Kangaskhan-Holo #115 Family Event Trophy Card - Sold for $150,100 in October 2020
6. 2000 Pokémon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9 - Sold for $144,300 in May 2021
7. 2006 Pokémon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer - Sold for $110,100 in February 2021
8. 1999 Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer - Sold for $90,000 in July 2020
9. 1999 Pokémon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind - Sold for $65,100 in October 2020
10. 1996 Pokémon Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Holo Venusaur - Sold for $55,000 in November 2021
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