Manchester United and Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez has shared the emotional story behind one of the most difficult periods of his professional career, revealing that he seriously considered retiring from football after suffering a devastating knee injury before finding renewed purpose through the birth of his daughter.
The 28-year-old centre back made the heartfelt admission after helping Argentina secure a dramatic 3-2 extra time victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Martínez delivered one of his finest performances in the national team’s colours, scoring a crucial goal and providing an assist as the defending champions survived a major scare to book their place in the next round.
While his contributions on the pitch earned widespread praise, it was his emotional reflection after the match that captured the attention of football fans around the world. Speaking to the media, Martínez admitted the memories of his lengthy rehabilitation remain painful and that there was a time when he questioned whether he would ever play professional football again.
“When I think about everything I went through because of my injury, it makes me want to cry,” Martínez said. “If my daughter hadn’t been born right when I suffered that injury, I don’t know if I’d even be here playing today, and today I scored a goal in a World Cup.”
The comments highlighted the emotional burden carried by the defender following the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered while playing for Manchester United in 2025. The setback ruled him out for several months and forced him into one of the toughest rehabilitation periods of his career. According to Martínez, the physical pain was matched by the mental struggle as doubts about returning to elite football began to surface.
His recovery coincided with one of the happiest moments of his personal life. The arrival of his daughter, Aurora, transformed his outlook and gave him fresh motivation to continue fighting through rehabilitation.
Earlier this year, Martínez and his partner, Muri López Benítez, described becoming parents as a life changing experience. They said their daughter’s arrival gave new meaning to their lives and encouraged them to focus on patience, love and resilience throughout his recovery.
That emotional strength has now translated into impressive performances on the field.
Against Cape Verde, Martínez produced an outstanding display at both ends of the pitch. In addition to scoring Argentina’s second goal in extra time, he created another goal with an assist and remained composed throughout a demanding knockout contest. His performance underlined why he continues to be regarded as one of Argentina’s most important defenders when fully fit.
Born in Gualeguay, Argentina, Martínez began his professional career with Newell’s Old Boys before moving to Defensa y Justicia, where his performances attracted attention from Europe. A transfer to Ajax followed, and under Erik ten Hag he developed into one of the Eredivisie’s most accomplished defenders. His ability to play out from the back, aggressive tackling and tactical intelligence earned him a move to Manchester United in 2022.
Despite questions early in his Premier League career about his height for a central defender, Martínez quickly silenced critics through consistent performances, fearless defending and outstanding distribution. His determination and leadership made him a favourite among Manchester United supporters, who affectionately nicknamed him “The Butcher.”
However, injuries repeatedly interrupted his momentum. A metatarsal injury, followed by muscular problems and eventually the serious ACL injury, limited his appearances and raised concerns about whether he could regain his previous level.
Instead of allowing those setbacks to define him, Martínez focused on rehabilitation and gradually rebuilt his confidence. His latest World Cup performance offered strong evidence that he has returned to peak condition at one of the most important tournaments in world football.
The defender has also spoken about drawing inspiration from Argentina captain Lionel Messi, praising the veteran forward’s resilience throughout his own career. Martínez noted that watching Messi overcome disappointments and continue competing at the highest level served as another source of motivation during his recovery.
Argentina’s victory over Cape Verde was far from straightforward. Lionel Scaloni’s side were pushed to extra time before eventually securing qualification, exposing defensive weaknesses they will need to address as the competition progresses. Martínez’s leadership at the back and his decisive attacking contribution ultimately proved crucial in helping the reigning champions avoid a shock elimination.
Attention now turns to Argentina’s Round of 16 meeting with Egypt, a fixture expected to test the South Americans once again as they continue the defence of their world title. Martínez is likely to remain a central figure in Scaloni’s plans, with his composure, passing ability and defensive awareness expected to play a key role against another disciplined opponent.
For Manchester United supporters, the defender’s resurgence will also be encouraging ahead of the new club season. After enduring months of frustration on the sidelines, Martínez appears to have rediscovered both his confidence and his form. His journey from contemplating retirement to delivering match winning performances on football’s biggest stage stands as one of the most inspiring stories of this year’s World Cup.
Although his future challenges remain significant, Martínez’s remarkable comeback has already demonstrated that determination, family support and resilience can help overcome even the darkest moments in a professional athlete’s career.
