Gerard Martin backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or and targets Barcelona longevity

Gerard Martin says Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, while insisting he is not concerned by Rodri’s view that Barcelona are not the leading favourites for the Champions League.

The Barcelona defender was speaking to Sport after a strong start to the season and also praised Egyptian team-mate Hamza Abdelkarim, describing him as a shy but hardworking player.

“Hamza Abdelkarim is a shy player, but he is a very hard-working young man and, honestly, a great person,” said Martin.

Barcelona are now facing a short break before returning to action, with Martin confident the squad will come back with renewed determination.

“We started the season very well and now it is time to stop for a few days, but we will return with a great desire to continue,” he added.

Martin also explained how working with a sports psychologist has helped him manage both strong and difficult periods in his career.

“I work with a sports psychologist who helps me in both the good and bad moments,” he said. “During the good moments, he helps me maintain the same mentality so that I do not take a step backwards.

“When my confidence is lower, when I am playing fewer minutes or when something similar happens, he helps me work day by day, improve my self-confidence and feel more secure.”

Asked whether he feels undervalued, after Yamal described him as one of the footballers who does not receive enough recognition, Martin said the opinion of those closest to him mattered most.

“It may be true that I am not appreciated enough from outside,” he said. “But the most important thing for me is that my team-mates, my family and the manager value me.”

Martin added that Eric Garcia regularly compares him with Italy and AC Milan great Paolo Maldini.

“Eric Garcia in particular always calls me Maldini,” he said. “There are some other players who do it too, but Eric always calls me Maldini.”

Rodri prediction does not change Barcelona’s ambition

Martin believes Yamal should claim football’s biggest individual prize.

“Yamal deserves to win it. For me, he is the best player, so he should win it,” he said.

He also praised Rodri’s quality and his quick adaptation to Barcelona’s style.

“Rodri is a top-level player and he has always been used to playing in this way, keeping possession, so he adapted to us quickly too,” Martin said. “He has a lot of experience, and that also shows during matches.”

Rodri recently said Barcelona were not the main favourites to win the Champions League and needed to improve in some areas. Martin said that assessment would not affect the team.

“To be honest, it does not matter much to me whether we are considered favourites or not,” he said. “Our objective remains to win the Champions League.

“I do not think being favourites puts extra pressure on us, and not having that label does not remove the pressure either, because we approach it in the same way. In the end, people outside the club can say whatever they want. We will focus on our work and do everything we can to win it.”

Martin said he had been fortunate to avoid injury since joining Barcelona, although he broke his hand playing for the national team during the summer.

“I always try to look after myself as much as possible and, so far, I have been lucky not to suffer an injury,” he said. “I hope it continues.”

With his 100th appearance for Barcelona approaching, Martin said he would welcome a long-term future at the club.

“Of course. I would be happy to stay here for many more years,” he said. “I hope to play another 100 matches and everything that comes after that.”

Asked whether he would sign a lifetime contract, Martin replied: “Yes, definitely. I would have to deserve it, of course, but yes. So far, things are going well.”