Anthony Martial: ‘I don’t care what people say about me really’

The Sevilla striker, on loan from Manchester United, talks about Ralf Rangnick, the World Cup and facing West Ham

Anthony Martial of Sevilla during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Sevilla FC at Estadio El Sadar on February 5, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

I think people don’t really know me,” Anthony Martial says. “Sometimes you see me and I’m not smiling, but in life you can ask anyone: I’m always smiling. I’m just on the pitch, focused, trying to do my best so I’m not smiling, but that doesn’t reflect how I feel.” 

And yet, he admits, by November it did – not least because he wasn’t on the pitch much any more, playing only 11% of available minutes this season. The joy had gone and it was time to get out of Manchester United. Seville held the hope of happiness.