Summary
Martial has settled in well at AEK Athens with nine goals and two assists.
But not everything has gone according to plan.
Martial faces challenges in Greece after being involved in controversies and enduring injuries.
For fans of Manchester United or the Premier League in general, Anthony Martial might forever be a name synonymous with stories of what could have been. Merely a few weeks into life as the Red Devils' new number nine after inking a deal with Louis van Gaal's side back in 2015, the Frenchman had his own chant after scoring a late winner against Liverpool on his debut to the backdrop of Martin Tyler's most expressive commentary line.
But the £36 million the Glazers' family splashed out on him never proved to be fully repaid by the then-whizzkid, who would crumble under the pressure of leading the line at Old Trafford. In 317 appearances, he scored 90 goals and produced 54 assists, before a string of injuries and a long dry patch in front of goal led him to be released upon his contract expiry last summer.
The 29-year-old (yes, time really has moved that fast!) now plies his trade for 13-time Greek league champions AEK Athens. But how is the man that was tasked with leading United back to their glory days doing in the sunny Mediterranean? We've taken a look.
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The Good Side To Anthony Martial's Time At AEK Athens
The stats make for a promising read
anthony martial
On the surface, Martial appears to be settling in quite nicely to his new surroundings. Freed from the relentless spotlight of English football, the former Monaco prodigy has chipped in with nine goals and two assists across 23 appearances - most of which have come from the bench. Not a bad return, especially when compared to the weary, faded figure he had become during his final days at Old Trafford.
His AEK Athens debut came nearly 10 months after his last appearance for Erik ten Hag’s side - a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in December 2023 - and initially drew criticism. But after stringing together a few starts, Martial quickly began to turn heads. He won over both his teammates and the AEK faithful, and by November - barely three months into the 2024/25 campaign - the Greek media had largely warmed to his performances.
In February, the former Golden Boy winner scored two goals in a 5-0 romp over Panserraikos. He was given a rating on Sofascore of 8.7 and also had an 81% pass accuracy and six shots on goal as he was proving too hot for Greek defenders to handle. This was no doubt a coruscating highlight of his season.
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Anthony Martial departed Manchester United in the summer of 2024 - and is now ripping it up in Greece for top flight side AEK Athens.
Though he hasn’t been a fixture in the starting lineup, Martial’s minutes have grown significantly since departing M16, and the overall sentiment around him has been one of quiet satisfaction - there’s a shared sense of joy in simply seeing the Frenchman playing with a smile again. However, not all sunshine lasts forever, and life in Greece hasn’t been without its clouds for Martial.
The Bad Side To Anthony Martial's Time At AEK Athens
The club are open to selling him this summer
Anthony Martial AEK Athens
Upon signing with AEK Athens, Martial secured a £2.9 million-per-year contract, making him the highest-paid player in the club's history. At the time, this felt very much like a risky deal for the club, but it has also inadvertently come back to bite the Frenchman in the back as the club are reportedly willing to listen to offers for him before his contract expires in 2027 to avoid losing out on another pay day.
This, along with the fact that he was one of several players shown a red card during clashes that broke out between his side and Olympiacos last month (watch the incident below), proves that life in the Greek capital hasn't always gone swimmingly for Martial.
His stats may paint a picture of personal revival and hint at a player rediscovering his groove, but they don’t tell the full story. While Martial has shown glimpses of the talent that once made him one of Europe’s hottest prospects, expectations remain much higher because of his past pedigree. Those within AEK Athens’ hierarchy were likely hoping for more than just flashes of form from a player once valued so highly.
Now, with Martial commanding a hefty wage to play the role of a super-sub, the club is reportedly exploring other attacking options. Where that leaves the Frenchman ahead of the summer remains uncertain. Still, with his 30th birthday still in front of him, there's reason to believe he has more to offer - though recurring injury problems haven’t helped his cause, with a recent spell on the sidelines seeing him miss seven games between early February and April.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 14/05/2025)