“For me, he is one of the best English players ever. The way he behaves and the way he plays, you can build a team around him”- Former Everton, Portugal and Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez Called Shock Aston Villa Hero ‘One of the Best English Players Ever’
Roberto Martinez Hails Gareth Barry as One of England’s Greatest Ever
Roberto Martinez has managed some of the world’s top football talent across club and international levels, coaching elite names like Kevin De Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Romelu Lukaku during his stints with Belgium, Portugal, and Everton.
He’s also prepared his teams to face generational stars such as Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.
Most recently, Martinez led Portugal to a significant triumph, guiding them to a UEFA Nations League victory over Spain in a tense penalty shootout — just the country’s third major trophy in history.
Martinez’s managerial journey began at Swansea City, before he rose to prominence with Wigan Athletic and Everton in the Premier League.
He spent seven seasons in England’s top flight before parting ways with Everton in 2016. Soon after, he transitioned to international football with Belgium, remaining in charge for six years before taking the reins with Portugal.
Now, following his Nations League success, Martinez’s reputation remains strong, and his insights are highly respected in the footballing world.
One of the most striking opinions he’s shared? His admiration for former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder Gareth Barry — a player he once described as among the greatest English footballers of all time.
Gareth Barry: The Premier League’s Unsung Ironman
With more Premier League appearances than any other player, Gareth Barry’s name is etched in top-flight history.
Despite his record-setting consistency, Premier League fans often regard Barry as underrated — a sentiment echoed by former England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Barry played for clubs such as Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Everton, winning the Premier League title and FA Cup during a decorated career.
Remarkably, he featured in at least 30 league games in 18 of 19 consecutive seasons and earned 53 caps for England.
Yet, his achievements are rarely mentioned in debates about England’s greatest footballers — something Roberto Martinez strongly disagrees with.
The two worked together at Everton for three years, and Martinez clearly saw something special.
Speaking to The Mirror, Martinez once said:
“For me, he is one of the best English players ever. The way he behaves and the way he plays, you can build a team around him.”
While some may consider it a bold statement, few are better positioned to recognize Barry’s quality than a manager who witnessed his impact firsthand over several seasons.
