Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has dismissed suggestions that Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial should be considered ‘world class’.
Martial missed out on a place in France’s squad for the European Championships this summer after suffering a knee injury towards the end of last campaign.
Also, The 25-year-old has struggled for consistency during his time at United and Courtois has suggested that he does not deserve to be put in the ‘world class’ player bracket.
In a quickfire Q&A with his Belgium teammate Jan Vertonghen for Pickx Sports, Courtois was asked to mention three star players who did not make it to the Euros.
The former Chelsea goalie was only able to name his former Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos before the seven-second timer ran out.
Vertonghen then told Courtois he could’ve named Erling Haaland, Martial, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Virgil van Dijk, Nicolo Zaniolo, Moise Kean, Edin Dzeko, Jan Oblak and Pjanic.
But Courtois said: ‘Martial… he is a star player?’
Martial scored seven goals in 36 matches for the Red devils last season but found it hard to secure a regular role as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s leading striker after the arrival of Edinson Cavani.
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Martial had made his way into Didier Deschamps’ mind for France’s national team and would’ve made the cut for the Euros squad if he wasn’t injured.
‘Anthony Martial would have been here, but he is not available. His condition does not allow it,’ Deschamps said before the tournament.
