Gerard Martin unfazed by Rodri’s Champions League view as Barcelona target European glory

Barcelona player Gerard Martin says he is not concerned by Rodri’s assessment of the club’s chances of winning the Champions League, insisting the team’s objective remains to lift the trophy.

Rodri recently said Barcelona were not the leading favourites and still had areas to improve, but Martin believes outside opinions will not affect the squad.

“I don’t really care whether we are considered among the favourites or not,” Martin told Sport. “Our aim remains to win the Champions League.”

“Being described as favourites does not put extra pressure on us, while not having that label does not remove the pressure either. We deal with it in exactly 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 also praised Rodri, saying the midfielder’s experience had helped him settle quickly at Barcelona.

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

The Barcelona player believes team-mate Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, describing him as the best player.

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

Martin was also asked about Egypt youth international Hamza Abdelkarim, who he described as a hard-working and likeable team-mate despite his reserved personality.

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

The 23-year-old said he uses a sports psychologist to help him manage both strong and difficult periods in his career.

“I work with a sports psychologist who helps me in good moments and bad ones alike,” Martin said. “When things are going well, he helps me keep the same mindset so I do not fall back. During periods when 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 secure.”

Martin said he was pleased to be valued by those closest to him, after Yamal suggested he was one of football’s most underrated players.

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

He added that Eric Garcia regularly calls him “Maldini”, with some other players using the nickname as well.

Martin has avoided a serious injury since joining Barcelona, although he did break his hand while playing for his national team during the summer.

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

With his 100th Barcelona appearance approaching, Martin said he would be happy to stay at the club for many more years.

“Of course. I would be delighted to continue here for several more years,” he said. “I hope to play 100 more matches, and everything that comes after them.”

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