Gerald Martin: It s the best game of my career against Inter Milan. I didn t pay much attention to the rumors that Nico signed

Barcelona full-back Gerald Martin accepted an exclusive interview with the Spanish media "World Sports" and talked about topics such as his own progress.

How are your hands?

Martin: "I'm ready now. I've been playing plaster for three weeks and it was a little worse at first, but now I'm recovering well and ready to train on Monday and do whatever needs to be done."

He was a member of Barcelona last summer and has now gained a foothold in the first team and has even been selected for training for the adult national team.

Martin: "These are all very wonderful experiences, and I enjoyed it very much. It is a pleasure to be selected for the adult national team training. It feels almost like training with the club, because half of the national team are Barcelona players, so I feel very comfortable."

It's a pity that the injury problem is, you haven't fully enjoyed the U21 European Cup. Can these trainings open the door to future drafts for you?

Martin: "I hope so. I am very excited about the U21 European Cup, but because of the injury, I couldn't enjoy it 100%. But, well, this is another experience I have gained and accumulated."

Speaking of Barcelona, you say that you have gradually improved from the initial discomfort. How did you work hard to gain a foothold?

Martin: "This is a very big change, but I gradually adapted through hard work and accumulated confidence, found a good feeling and made progress little by little. Tactical thanks to the help of the coaches and the trust of everyone."

Confidence is closely linked to the mentality. Have you tried to adjust your psychology?

Martin: "Yes, I think this is very important. I have put in a lot of effort to it, through self-requirement, training, and also rely on external help."

External help? A psychiatrist?

Martin: "Yes, I thought I didn't need it, but to be honest, it helped me get a big boost."

You look very natural and handle things calmly, as if you were still playing football at Barcelona.

Martin: "Yes, at the beginning, I was nervous in the first few games, but then you realized that nervousness didn't help. You had to stay calm and be your true self so that everything would go smoothly."

What advice did they give you?

Martin: "It's mainly my family's advice. They know I'm not completely myself, I know I'm nervous and can't let go. They know me very well. But gradually I relaxed."

You did let go completely. Plus, you train with one of the best players Yamal. Will this help you in the competition?

Martin: "Yes, defending him is the test of the highest intensity. Everything you encounter in the game will be easier to deal with because I am already prepared."

Regarding Yamal, is he as strong as he seems?

Martin: "He is a very ordinary and quiet boy, but once he gets the ball and starts playing, he is amazing. Just look at his performance this year."

Then is he very playful?

Martin: "Yes, yes, a little bit (laughs). But it's part of his personality, which also helps him have that kind of unscrupulous spirit on the court and the calm and confident that he dares to try everything."

At first someone questioned your performance. Does this affect you?

Martin: "It was indeed a big deal at the beginning, but after that, I tried hard to focus on myself, and I wanted to act safely on the court. Now I have let go and be myself on the court." How did Frick make you progress?

Martin: "The impact is great. When you see the coach trusting you, you feel more calm. If the person who decides who plays will send you on the court at any time, it will give you more confidence."

What does Frick say to you?

Martin: "We did video analysis, and he demanded from me in training. During the game, he asked me to be myself and stay focused."

At what moment I felt: I am a top league player now?

Martin: "After the first few games, I gained more confidence, and you finally believed it, and at that moment you saw yourself standing on that stage. The first game was against Valencia; I finished my first start in the league against Villarreal, which was like the first big test; and then the Champions League match against Brest, I played very well, and then I began to see myself becoming the one I always wanted to be."

You won the contract renewal in the middle of the season.

Martin: "This is very important because it not only shows the coach's trust in me, but also the trust of the sports management department. It's a great motivation."

What football role models have you had?

Martin: "I have always been following Alba. I have always been a Barcelona fan, and he played in Barcelona. And he also came from youth training."

What does it mean to share this experience with your family of such a loyal Barcelona fans?

Martin: "It's a huge satisfaction. My family is very devoted to it, my parents, my grandparents, my brothers... they will travel to see me games, and everyone enjoys it very much, although it can be a little heart-wrenching at times."

You played a decisive role in some very important games at the end of the season.

Martin: "That was a challenge to prove to everyone that I can do it, I have the ability, but I have to show it."

In the Champions League knockout against Inter Milan, people even discussed the possibility that Inigo might play as a full-back. But Frick still chose you.

Martin: "The coach still trusts me when he has doubts outside, which is a very positive thing for me to build confidence. And I want to prove to him that he has not chosen the wrong person and he can continue to trust me.. ”

The match against Inter Milan, although the ending was bad, was it the best match of your career so far?

Martin: "Personally, yes, that's one of the best matches. I also like the Champions League match at Dortmund at home. But Inter Milan's game ended badly for everyone. Although I was satisfied with my performance, that hell result made me very depressed. ”

We saw you crying, yes. But that day, you really showed your courage.

Martin: "It's hard for me to describe my feelings specifically at that time, but I'm just full of confidence. This is the result of a season of continuous hard work, and it is finally reflected in the results. ”

Having Lamacian bloodline gives you an extra bonus?

Martin: "This is a little extra advantage this team has. Most people, not to mention everything, are almost everyone, have deep feelings for the club, which allows you to do your best on the court when you are exhausted. You are playing football and fighting for the club you love and it will give you all forever. ”

Will opponents like Lautaro or Tulam make you feel scared? After all, a year ago you might have just fought with them on the game…

Martin: “No, we feel that we have the ability to fight anyone confidently and without fear. ”

Okay, then now the key question about that game is: Was that contact with Dumfries a foul?

Martin: "Yes, that was a foul for me. I'm honest, because it's been a while, I can tell you now. But for me that's a foul. ”

Have you watched that replay repeatedly, especially in the last few minutes?

Martin: "Yes, especially after the game or the next day. I looked back at that action many times because I did feel the foul on the court, but I wasn't called afterwards, and I wanted to confirm if it was really like I felt it. I'm a little confused about this. ”

Why? Do you think you could have done more in that action?

Martin: "No, I can't say I could have done more, because if the opponent had fouled me, I wouldn't have done more at that time. ”

Later on in Montphic against Real Madrid, you got a standing ovation from the fans. What does that mean to you?

Martin: "It was a very happy moment because after a great game, your fans recognized you with applause, which is a huge pride. ”

Your brother Anau said someone in the family secretly wiped his tears. Which one impressed you the most in all the moments of the season? Is there any game, or very personal anecdote?

Martin: "A game was in the 4-5 Benfica game. My feelings on that court that day were incredible, and that game also showed the team’s mentality and how we overcome everything. The Champions Parade is also another special moment; I enjoy it from a relatively high perspective. ”

What are your goals for the upcoming new season?

Martin: "The challenge at the collective level: strive to win all the championships. On the individual level, we have always tried to improve and continue to grow compared to last season. ”

The outside world talked about a lot of things in the transfer market, including some of the quotes you received. Are you open to leaving Barcelona this summer?

Martin: "I don't know if the things that are spread are true. If it is true, the club should convey it to me. I am here, in Barcelona, and I feel very happy and I don't want to leave. If the coach and management trust me, I would have nothing to ask for. ”

There are names like Grimaldo to strengthen your position. Will competition disturb you?

Martin: "No, I'm very calm. Such rumors are common in all positions, and competition is good for all players to continue to improve. ”

Have you seen Joan Garcia train? How is he?

Martin: "Yes, he is very good and happy. This is a good signing. He had a very good season with Espanyol. ”

The outside world also talked about Nico Williams' signing and the reaction caused in the locker room. What happened at that time? You were in the national team at that time...

Martin: "Things were still in the early stages at that time. I didn't pay much attention after that. It seemed that he might have come, but it didn't work in the end. To be honest, I don't know much. ”