Marvin Martin's stellar performance for the Blues surpasses Zidane in their first match against Ukraine

French Midfielder Marvin Martin's Debut Shines Brightly

In June 2011, a new star was born in the French national team. The headline of the day read "4 minutes of extra sun" instead of a similar headline to Gourcuff's debut, as Marvin Martin made his mark on the international stage.

Martin, then 23 years old, scored two goals and made a decisive pass in a friendly match against Ukraine. His performance was compared to Zinedine Zidane's first selection in 1994, a comparison that would follow him throughout his career.

Laurent Blanc, coach of the Blues, was quick to sing his praises, comparing Martin to the legendary Zidane. The midfielder's debut performance added to the record of Zidane's first selection, and some even saw a resemblance to Andres Iniesta in his game.

Martin's career influence and confidence started to decline after his transfer to Lille in the summer of 2012. He moved to the club, tripled his salary, but struggled to maintain his high level. Despite the setbacks, Martin was still nicknamed "the little Xavi" at Sochaux.

The French national team was rebuilding after the principles of Laurent Blanc and Jean-Louis Gasset. Martin's debut performance was a beacon of hope in this transitional period. His teammates celebrated his success, with Jeremy Menez sharing a room with him after the match and the two singing Axelle Red to celebrate.

Martin played a total of 15 times for the French national team, including 22 minutes at Euro 2012. His last appearance with the team was against Uruguay on August 15, 2012. However, Martin had to wait 2080 days to score again, with Reims, in November 2017 against Auxerre in Ligue 2.

Yoann Gourcuff was celebrated as "The Successor" to Zinedine Zidane by L'Equipe in January 2009. Yet, it was Martin who stepped up when it mattered most, proving that he was a force to be reckoned with in French football. His debut performance will always be remembered as a shining moment in French football history.

Marvin Martin's stellar performance for the Blues surpasses Zidane in their first match against Ukraine