Anthony Martial, a name that still echoes within the walls of Old Trafford, is the focus of an intriguing conversation between two football icons: Diogo Dalot and Rio Ferdinand. The Frenchman’s journey in the Premier League began with a bang in 2015, when, as a young prodigy, he made his debut with an impressive goal against Liverpool. Since then, his career has been a rollercoaster of performances, ranging from brilliant moments to periods of inconsistency.
Dalot, who shared the pitch with Martial during his time at Manchester United, made bold statements about the potential of his former teammate. During a revealing conversation on Rio Ferdinand’s show, the Portuguese right-back did not hesitate to include Martial in his 5-a-side selection, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. “It would be Chris (Ronaldo). And I’ll put one more in attack. I’ll say Martial,” stated Dalot, surprising Ferdinand with his choice.
The former England international questioned the decision, admitting that while he recognized Martial’s undeniable talent, he did not expect to see him mentioned. Dalot, with the confidence of someone who has faced Martial on many occasions, explained: “I’m saying this because I’m going to combine what, obviously, he could do in games, but also in training. And I’ve played a lot against him, so it was really, really difficult. And he was one of those players who, if he had a little more consistency, could be the best player in the world. Easily.”
These words echo what many fans and analysts have discussed over the years about Martial. A player who, when fit, possesses skills that place him among the best in the world, but who has struggled with the consistency needed to reach that level. Dalot recalled moments in training where Martial’s talent was so evident that there was almost a need to stop the session. “There were moments when I thought… we wanted to blow the whistle and say, ‘It’s time to come in.’ And I had some. I remember Juan Mata also had those moments of quality.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when Ferdinand revealed that Michael Carrick, Martial’s former teammate, once expressed his belief that the French forward could one day lift the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. “You know, Carrick told me when he first signed that Martial could win the Ballon d’Or,” Ferdinand shared.
The story of Anthony Martial at Manchester United is a blend of promise and challenges. Despite a dazzling start, where he quickly made a name for himself, scoring 17 goals in 49 appearances in his debut season and culminating in 23 goals and 12 assists in the 2019/20 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his journey has been marked by ups and downs. Over time, his influence waned under Erik ten Hag’s management, leading to a departure as a free agent in 2024 and a new chapter in his career at clubs like AEK Athens and Monterrey in Mexico.
Dalot’s statements not only remind us of Martial’s explosive talent but also spark the discussion of what could have been had the Frenchman found the consistency needed to shine in every match. Martial’s story remains a reminder of what can happen when talent is not fully harnessed, but also a hope that, in new settings, he may still surprise the football world.
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