It looks like former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit is having doubts about Anthony Martial’s passion for football.
As Martial remains a free agent after his stint with Manchester United ended last season, Petit has some pointed questions about the 28-year-old’s dedication to the game.
Martial’s Struggles and Recent Disappointments
Martial’s contract with Manchester United expired this past summer, leaving him without a team.
Despite being linked to several clubs, including Flamengo and AEK Athens, he’s still without a new home.
Petit, speaking on talkSPORT, highlighted a significant drop in Martial’s performance and questioned whether the French forward still has the drive to continue his career.
Petit noted, “I can’t recall the last time he displayed the talent or commitment needed for a club to invest in him.
It seems like he’s been struggling for years now, both on and off the pitch.”
He suggested that Martial needs to reflect on his desire to keep pursuing football, especially given the challenges he’s faced recently.
Flamengo and AEK Athens’ Rejections
Reports indicate that Flamengo opted against signing Martial due to disagreements over contract terms.
Martial reportedly sought a three-year deal with a salary that Flamengo wasn’t prepared to offer.
The gap between his demands and the club’s offer proved too wide to bridge.
Similarly, AEK Athens also expressed interest in Martial.
They reportedly proposed the most lucrative contract in the club’s history to persuade him to join, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Martial’s Manchester United Career
Martial joined Manchester United from Monaco in 2015 for a fee that could have reached £58 million with add-ons, becoming one of the most exciting young talents in football at the time.
He had a promising start, scoring 17 goals in his debut season.
However, his form became inconsistent towards the end of his United career, marred by injuries and fluctuating performances.
His peak came during the 2019-20 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he scored 23 goals.
Overall, he netted 90 times in 317 appearances for the club.
Future Prospects
Martial has also been linked with potential moves to Atalanta and Lille, but no agreements have been reached.
The next steps for him remain unclear as he navigates his future in football.