Featured Image Credit: Getty Images - X/@dikefalos_aek21
Topics: Anthony Martial, Manchester United
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Anthony Martial, Manchester United
Footage from an airport in Greece has emerged after Anthony Martial scored a late winner for AEK Athens in their league clash against OFI Crete.
Martial, who joined AEK following a nine-year stay at Manchester United, made his much-anticipated debut against PAOK in October, coming off the bench to make a 16-minute cameo.
That first appearance for the Greek Super League side was branded "tasteless" by one reporter, who branded Martial a "highly paid, out-of-form footballer".
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But after a relatively slow start to life in Athens, things have started to pick up.
In fact, the French forward has netted three goals in his last three games for AEK, including an 87th minute winner in their 2-1 victory over OFI Crete on Sunday afternoon.
After the full-time whistle, hundreds of AEK Athens supporters swarmed around Martial as he walked through an airport to a chorus of chanting.
X user ΜΑΝΤΑΛΙΑΚΟΣ posted footage of the moment alongside a caption that read: "Tony Martial dancing with AEK fans in the airport after a great winner, he is finally enjoying football again."
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Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.
One said: "Fans that appreciate him," while another commented: "Must be nice going from being abused weekly to this."
A third wrote: "He’s having fun," and a fourth said: "Love this for him."
A fifth added: "I’d say someone get my boy outta there but after the s*** he endured at United, I’ll just settle for him enjoying his football again."
So far, Martial has notched five goals and one assist for AEK.
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He has also played 90 minutes in three of the last four games – a promising run considering how injury-plagued the last few years of his career were at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Sport 24 after Sunday's game against OFI Crete, AEK manager Matias Almeyda was full of praise for the Frenchman.
“Since the day Martial arrived, we have seen that he has joined the group and contributes to the team," said Almeyda. "He is an excellent teammate and shows great professionalism.”
The 50-year-old added: “He is good for many reasons, I think the game system also helps him. But I never single out one or two players. We are a group and this group fights all together.”