Anthony Martial has been named the 9th most influential footballing figure in
France.
A list compiled by French publication L’Equipe places Martial ahead of star
duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antoine Griezmann, as well as sportswear giants
Nike and Adidas.
Martial, a relative unknown on these shores until August, joined Manchester
United in their biggest deal of the summer and has been a mainstay in Louis
van Gaal’s side this season.
With eight goals to his name in total, the 20-year-old is United’s joint top
scorer in all competitions alongside Wayne Rooney.
And L’Equipe predict he will soon be one of the best strikers in the world.
“The truth, of course, is that he is not yet one of the world’s best
strikers,” the article says. “He will be soon, and we feel that this is only
a matter of time, perhaps a few months, but he is not yet.”
The article also says Martial, who made his France debut in September, is
“playing at a huge club but in an average team”.
The only current player above the United striker in the list is Real Madrid’s
Karim Benzema, who places fifth.
New Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is fourth, one place behind Lyon
president Jean-Michel Aulas.
National team manager Didier Deschamps is second to Paris Saint-Germain
chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
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