Anthony Martial reveals Man United striker’s football inspiration

The Manchester United striker says Lionel Messi has got the closest to football excellence

By The Sport Review
Saturday 19 November 2016, 21:20 UK

Anthony Martial says Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has come closest to achieving football excellence.

The France forward made an impressive start to his Manchester United career under Louis van Gaal last season after the striker moved to Old Trafford in a £36m deal from Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Martial scored on his Premier League debut after his introduction as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 win against the Red Devils’ bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in September.

The former Lyon man scored 17 times in 49 appearances in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign as Van Gaal was sacked following Manchester United’s fifth-place finish.

Martial has struggled to recapture his best form in the current campaign under new manager Jose Mourinho after a disappointing European championship campaign for the France star.

However, the 21-year-old revealed that he is drawing inspiration from the world’s best football in Martial’s pursuit of excellence at the 20-time English champions.

“Excellence in football is very difficult to achieve,” Martial said during an interview to promote Footlocker’s Week of Greatness campaign.

“When you look at the players who are achieving greatness and excellence, I think the player who comes closest to this is Messi. He has almost everything, he’s all-rounder, and he is consistent season after season.”