Barcelona defender reflects on humble beginnings with lower-league club – ‘It’s an honour’

Gerard Martin has been one of many beneficiaries of Barcelona’s ongoing damage woes, as Alejandro Balde’s outing on the sidelines has given him the chance to begin usually for Barça this season.

The younger left-back has already amassed nearly 520 minutes of aggressive motion this season, establishing himself as a agency backup for Balde.

Nevertheless, in a current media interplay (h/t SPORT), Martin, amid his present success, talked about his humble beginnings at his youth membership, Cornella.

Gerard Martin on his time at Cornella

“I debuted with the primary staff after I was nonetheless a youth participant, then I made the soar and stayed. Ultimately, you’re very comfortable to be in Cornellà’s first staff at the moment,” Martin stated about his preliminary stint at Cornella.

“Then I made the soar to Barça B, after which you find yourself reaching the primary staff. Phrases fall a bit brief,” he added.

Gerard Martin was concerned in Cornella’s youth system from a younger age and was even promoted to the senior staff in 2021.

Actually, he featured in 59 matches for Cornella earlier than becoming a member of the Barcelona academy in 2023.

“It’s an honour to know what you’ve been by right here and to come back again and see that you’ve the shirt hanging there, it’s one thing very gratifying.”

“I’m very comfortable, as a result of ultimately it’s one thing that each one youngsters, once they’re little, all the time dream about a bit. At first, you don’t fairly consider it, however then, with the competitions, all the pieces involves you,” he stated about his humble beginnings.

Gerard Martin additionally talked about how Cornella has all the time produced nice footballers. The membership, in any case, was house to many proficient Spanish gamers, together with left-back Jordi Alba and goalkeeper David Raya.

“Cornellà has traditionally all the time produced excellent gamers. They do an excellent job with the youth system. Within the decrease classes, they’re all the time on the highest degree, competing with Barça, Espanyol, Girona,” he stated.

Martin went on to precise his emotional reference to Cornella, admitting that his coronary heart will all the time belong to the membership.

“I used to be right here for 5 years and I used to be very comfortable. And it was the place I had the chance after reaching skilled soccer. I all the time have good recollections of right here. Cornellà, ultimately, is like my house too, and I’ll all the time be very grateful to Cornellà,” he added.

Lastly, Gerard Martin talked about his present standing within the Barcelona setup, having featured in a handful of matches this season, particularly provided that Hansi Flick has additionally not dominated out persevering with with the Spaniard.

“It’s a nice honour to have the ability to play with the staff you all the time needed to play with,” he concluded.