Lisandro Martínez, currently excelling at Manchester United, boasts an impressive trophy haul including the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and recent FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins, known for his 100% work rate and ball progression, his 7.14 average rating this season highlights his defensive prowess ahead of upcoming fixtures against West Ham and Bournemouth, his career highlights include winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and two Eredivisie titles with Ajax, along with recent Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs with Manchester United.
The Argentine defender defies every stereotype about modern defenders. Standing 5'9" tall, he battles giant strikers who are at least 6ft in height and wins. The Manchester United centre-back rose from bricklaying with his father to lifting one of the most expensive trophies in football. His nickname "The Butcher" fits perfectly with aggressive tackles, fearless headers and ice-cold composure under pressure. The kid from Gualeguay became Lionel Messi's trusted teammate with two Copa América victories and Champions League experience. At 27, he's entering his prime years. Erik ten Hag brought him to Old Trafford for £48.3 million just after he had an amazing season with both Ajax and the Argentine National Team. potentially rising with add-ons, money well spent as Martínez transformed United's defence instantly, his left foot sprays passes like artillery while his right foot crunches tackles like thunder, height doesn't matter when the heart beats everything
Martínez grew up in Entre Ríos, part of Argentina’s Mesopotamia region, Lisandro Martínez family comprises father Raúl who laid bricks for a living and mother Silvina who managed household finances, no luxury but plenty of love and discipline, sister Candy provided sibling rivalry and support, at 13 his parents gave him the ultimatum — football or construction work, father took him to building sites at dawn to show what life looked like without football, the lesson stuck forever, "Do you realise this isn't for you?"
Raúl asked after young Lisandro overslept for work, “Football is your thing,” Club Libertad and Club Urquiza provided early coaching, Newell's Old Boys academy opened doors to professional football, the same club that produced Lionel Messi and Gabriel Batistuta, the pressure was enormous and living up to legendary alumni meant everything, Defensa y Justicia's loan in 2017 taught him professional football's realities with 27 appearances and one goal in the first season, a permanent transfer followed a year later with 36 matches and two goals that improved his reputation.
European scouts started taking notice, parents attended every possible match, father filmed games to analyse mistakes later while mother provided emotional support during difficult periods, the family WhatsApp group keeps everyone connected despite distance, success never changed his humble roots, bricklaying experience shaped his mentality permanently, physical labour taught him toughness, early mornings built discipline, manual work developed core strength, every tackle reflects those construction site lessons and every header shows building site determination