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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has broken his silence following a disappointing end to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina reached the final of the mega tournament but were comfortably beaten 1-0 by Spain in a one-sided affair.
Martinez started the game but struggled to have an impact before picking up an injury late in the first half that ended his day. The United ace has struggled with fitness woes in recent times and spent much of 2025 on the treatment table with an ACL tear.
The Argentine was a key figure when fit under former head coach Ruben Amorim and retained his importance under the Portuguese’s successor, Michael Carrick. When the Red Devils shifted to a back four, Martinez rekindled his partnership with Harry Maguire and added solidity and poise to the backline.
The 28 year old played a key role in United’s third-placed finish in the Premier League last season, subsequently securing a place in Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup squad. Martinez was particularly impressive at the summer’s spectacle, and even earned a place in WhoScored’s team of the tournament.
Martinez’s 2026 World Cup in a nutshell
Martinez forged a solid partnership with Cristian Romero in the group stages, starting the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 win over Algeria. The United star was instrumental once again in the 2-0 victory over Austria next.
Scaloni rested Martinez in the third game against Jordan, but he was back in the starting XI against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. The Butcher delivered a masterclass, scoring one goal and setting up Lionel Messi to score another to secure a nail-biting 3-2 win.
Martinez was also instrumental in the 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 and the 3-1 win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals. While he was not at his best against England in the semi-final, Argentina still managed to pick up a dramatic 2-1 win.
That set up a blockbuster final against Spain, but La Albiceleste failed to deliver in the final. Martinez has now shared his thoughts on the tournament.
Lisandro Martinez Stats: 2026 FIFA World Cup
| Matchday | Date | Opponent | Result | Position | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group J | 17/06/26 | Algeria | 3–0 | CB | – | – | – | – | 90′ |
| Group J | 22/06/26 | Austria | 2–0 | CB | – | – | – | – | 90′ |
| Group J | 28/06/26 | Jordan | 3–1 | On the bench | – | – | – | – | – |
| Round of 32 | 04/07/26 | Cape Verde | 3–2 AET | CB | 1 | 1 | – | – | 120′ |
| Round of 16 | 07/07/26 | Egypt | 3–2 | CB | – | – | – | – | 90′ |
| Quarter-Finals | 12/07/26 | Switzerland | 3–1 AET | CB | – | – | – | – | 120′ |
| Semi-Finals | 16/07/26 | England | 2–1 | CB | – | – | 1 | – | 42′ |
| Final | 20/07/26 | Spain | 1–0 AET | CB | – | – | 1 | – | 44′ |
Source: Transfermarkt.
United ace shares thoughts on World Cup
Sharing his thoughts with a post on Instagram, Martinez reflected on Argentina’s campaign. He wrote: “With a heavy heart at not having been able to bring home the trophy we all wanted, but with pride running deep for this shirt, for my teammates, the coaching staff, the directors, the medical team, the chefs, the kit men and for every single person involved in making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible.”
“And, above all, for you, who showered us with all your love, all your strength, that passion which defines us so well, and the unity of a country that I hope will endure over time. I would like to congratulate Spain on their well-deserved title.”
“And to our people, I want to say that the result doesn’t define the journey we’ve been on. We faced adversity, we made the impossible possible, and we never looked for excuses – we only found reasons to keep going.”
“We defended our colours far beyond the pitch and shared unforgettable moments with the national team, alongside our families and with the unconditional support of all Argentinians. It will always be a source of immense pride to represent you.”
Martinez also aimed a sly dig at the widespread social media criticism surrounding the Argentina team, concluding: “Remember that ‘the downfall of the great is the joy of the mediocre’. Thank you very much to everyone. Let’s look after our country. I love you, Argentina!”
Final Thoughts
Martinez’s stellar performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup filled United fans with hope ahead of the new season. However, his unfortunate injury in the final once again laid bare his poor injury record and has added to speculation regarding his future, especially with his contract set to expire in 2027.
Featured image by Michael Steele/Getty Images
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