Martial: I decided to leave when Rangnick came; the rumor about Ronaldo is false

The Sevilla striker, on loan from Manchester United, talks about Ralf Rangnick, the World Cup and the rumors about Cristiano Ronaldo

When you arrived in Seville, in England we were told that you were quite reserved, that you did not smile.

"I think people don’t really know me, sometimes you see me and I’m not smiling, but in life you can ask anyone: I’m always smiling. I’m just on the pitch, focused, trying to do my best so I’m not smiling, but that doesn’t reflect how I feel.” And yet, he admits, by November it did – not least because he wasn’t on the pitch much any more, playing only 11% of available minutes this season. The joy had gone and it was time to get out of Manchester United. Seville held the hope of happiness.

"When Rangnick arrived, my objective was to leave, I told him I wanted to leave and that’s it. He talked to me. He said that if you want to stay, with the way you are training if you continue to train like that, you will play. But my objective was that I wanted to leave, to have a new atmosphere, a new club.”

How are these weeks of adaptation to Seville and the city?

I had a lot of options but I talked to the manager [Julen Lopetegui] and with Monchi and I said Sevilla was the best option to play and enjoy football again because I lost it a little bit in Manchester. I wasn’t playing and I knew that if I went to Sevilla, I would have the occasion to play and enjoy myself. I feel very good at Sevilla. The city’s very good and we are a good team, so for me it’s perfect. I’m playing so I am happy.

He has also been able to play with Cristiano in Manchester. Is it true that he is not well in the locker room?

Cristiano is a top professional, one of the best in history. We all love him, there are things that are said in the media that are not true. I was in that locker room and I know what's going on.

Why were you nicknamed 'little Benzema' in Lyon?

I was always compared to Karim, and other strikers, because I was an Academy boy. I watched him play and I wanted to be like him, so good. We've played together in France, it's a very nice thing.

The last one. How about the way to Qatar?

Playing the World Cup is a goal for me. If I do well I can be in the World Cup.