*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:06, 16 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:12, 20 October 2024 (UTC)
Lisandro Martínez (born 18 January 1998) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester United and the Argentina national team. Nicknamed "The Butcher" for his aggressive style of play, Martínez is widely regarded for his defending, ball-playing ability, and mentality.[3]
Martínez had youth spells with Club Urquiza (Gualeguay, Entre Rios), Club Libertad (Gualeguay, Entre Rios) and Newell's Old Boys.[4][5] He made his professional debut for Newell's in the club's final fixture of the 2016–17 season, when he played the full match in a loss to Godoy Cruz.[6][7]
Defensa y Justicia
In August 2017, Martínez joined fellow Argentine Primera División side Defensa y Justicia on loan.[8][9] His first appearance for Defensa arrived on 13 October in a defeat against San Lorenzo.[7] Two appearances later, he scored his first senior goal in an away win versus Temperley.[7][10] Defensa y Justicia purchased 50% of the rights to Martínez in June 2018.[11]
Ajax
On 17 May 2019, Defensa y Justicia announced that a deal had been agreed with Eredivisie team Ajax; subject to the passing of a medical.[12] Ajax paid the Argentine side €7m for the transfer of Martínez.[13] Ajax announced the completion of the medical on 20 May, with the transfer to go through on 1 July.[14] He penned a four-year contract, with the option of a further year.[14] He didn't officially join until July, though did feature in June friendlies with Quick '20 and AaB.[7] Before Ajax signed him, they tracked his progress for two and a half years.[15] His competitive bow came in the 2019 Johan Cruyff Shield against PSV Eindhoven, as Ajax won the trophy following a two-goal victory.[7] He was voted man of the match in his second Eredivisie game; in a win over Emmen.[16]
Martínez netted his first Ajax goal on 28 September, as he opened the scoring in a 2–0 victory over Groningen at the Johan Cruyff Arena.[17] He scored again against Utrecht in November, in a campaign which was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In his first match of 2020–21, Martínez got his third Ajax goal in a home win versus RKC Waalwijk on 20 September.[7]
Manchester United
On 16 July 2022, it was announced that Manchester United had agreed a deal with Ajax for the signing of Martínez for a reported transfer fee between £47 million to £49 million, plus £8.5 million in add-ons.[18] The transfer was officially completed on 27 July, when Martínez signed a five-year contract with the club.[19] The next day, it was confirmed that he would wear the number six shirt last worn by Paul Pogba.[20] On 7 August, Martínez made his club debut in a 2–1 home loss against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.[21] However, after performances against rivalsLiverpool and Southampton, he received the Manchester United Player of the Month award for August.[22]
On 22 January 2023, Martínez scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 3–2 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.[23] His first trophy with the club came on 26 February, with a win over Newcastle United in the 2023 EFL Cup final.[24] On 13 April, Martínez injured his right foot while playing in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla. The following day, it was confirmed that he fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot and would miss the remainder of the season.[25]
On 29 September, Martínez reinjured his foot,[26] and was sidelined for four months, returning on 14 January 2024 as a substitute in Manchester United's 2–2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.[27] On 4 February, in a match against West Ham United, he was substituted in the 71st minute after a collision with West Ham defender Vladimír Coufal.[28] It was then confirmed that he had sustained an MCL injury, and was expected to be out for at least eight weeks.[29] He returned on 25 May in the 2024 FA Cup final against local rivalsManchester City, where United triumphed with a 2–1 victory.[30]
In March 2019, Martínez received his first call-up to the senior team.[36] He debuted against Venezuela on 22 March in Madrid.[37] Martínez made one appearance at the 2021 Copa América,[7] which Argentina won.[38] He was an unused substitute in Argentina's 3–0 victory over Italy in the 2022 Finalissima.[39] At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Martinez came off the bench against Australia in the round of 16, making an important block on a shot by Aziz Behich.[40] Martinez was part of the starting XI against Netherlands in the quarter-finals and came off the bench against Croatia in the semis.[41] In the final against title-holders France, he was an unused substitute as Argentina won 4–2 on penalties to win their third World Cup title.[42]
On 15 June 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América.[43] He scored his first international goal, putting his team ahead in a 1–1 draw against Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the tournament, which ended with a victory in the penalty shootout.[44][45]
Style of play
Martínez is nicknamed "the Butcher" due to his aggressive style of play.[46] He is primarily a centre-back, though he is capable of playing at left-back and as a central midfielder, having played there at times for Defensa y Justicia and Ajax.[47][48] He is a ball-playing centre-back and is known for his range of passing and composure on the ball.[49][50] In the 2021–22 Eredivisie season, he averaged more passes per 90 minutes than any other player.[51] Before signing him, Ajax's scouts characterised Martínez as a left-footed ball-playing defender who is "tough as nails" and possesses winning mentality.[15] At Manchester United, his performances earned him comparisons to legendary former United defender Nemanja Vidić, with Vidic himself praising Martínez for his aggressive defending and leadership.[52][53] Despite his relatively short stature for a defender, standing at 5'9", he is also effective in aerial duels.[54]
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