I used to get smashed in 7th tier before bagging Premier League transfer… now I’m facing boyhood club Man Utd in FA Cup
WIGAN star Martial Godo was playing in England’s seventh tier less than two years ago.
But he’s now set to realise a career ambition by playing against favourite club Manchester United in the FA Cup.
League One outfit Wigan welcome their rivals to the DW Stadium tonight for a tasty third-round encounter.
They have already knocked Exeter City and York City out of the competition.
And with Wigan having a poor season in League One, they will be putting everything into tonight’s game against United.
One man hoping to get the nod for the hosts is winger Godo.
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The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Wigan from Fulham.
And he has impressed with three goals in 16 appearances.
However, things were very different for the youngster just a few years ago.
Godo started his career with Dartford but failed to make a single appearance there.
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He then ended up in England’s seventh tier with Isthmian League side Margate.
A strong showing of three goals in 22 games caught the attention of Fulham.
The Cottagers decided to swoop for Godo, and he ended up making his debut for the club in last season’s Carabao Cup.
The England U20s ace could very well have a future at Craven Cottage after impressing at Wigan.
But it doesn’t get any bigger than tonight’s match for Godo, who has been a major United fan since he was a child.
And he hopes to put in a performance worthy of heroes Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov.
Godo told the : “Cristiano Ronaldo was the obvious one but I was only five or six when he played for United.
“When I was watching them properly my favourite was Berbatov. I just enjoyed how elegant he was.”
Reflecting on his rise from England’s seventh tier, he explained: “You get smashed and you get back up. It helped me become a man. It was about changing my mentality, to just get back up.”
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On life under Shaun Maloney at Wigan, Godo added: “Staying disciplined and patience has been the key words with the gaffer. Being so trustworthy gives me confidence.
“From non-league to England (U20s) is crazy but I want to think it is the minimum, it should be normal for me.”
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