Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez is now a World Cup winner, with Argentina clinching the trophy in a penalty shootout.
Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, sparking wild scenes in Qatar, and especially back in his homeland.
In Martinez’s native Argentina, fans packed out the streets to celebrate the country’s first World Cup victory since 1986.
Martinez has been pictured with the World Cup, and his contribution has been praised by one of the politicians in his homeland.
Lisandro Martinez hailed by governor of Entre Rios
Martinez was born in Argentina’s eastern province of Entre Rios, just north of Buenos Aires, in the city of Guelegay. He is the second player from the region to become World champion, following Jorge Burruchaga in 1986.
The governor of Entre Rios has paid tribute to Martinez, lauding him as a representative of the province he can be proud of.
Gustavo Bordet, governor, is quoted by Uno Entre Rios: “What it means that a player like Lisandro Martínez, from a city like Gualeguay, with a lot of sacrifice and humility, has been able to be at the best levels of world football. It is a very good representation for our province.
“Now you have to enjoy a lot because 36 years have passed since we won a world cup. This group deserves it. The truth is that it is something very beautiful and it is a caress to the soul for all Entre Ríos and Argentines.”
He added that he plans to reach out to Martinez personally to congratulate him.
Winning the World Cup has been an obsession for Argentina since ’86, and they have subsequently lost finals in 1990 and 2014.
With Lionel Messi 35, there was a real sense that this was their last chance as a ‘favourite’. They got there in the end after a heart-racing finale.
Martinez made a valuable contribution throughout the tournament, playing 301 minutes total.
He will soon be back at Manchester United, once the celebrations in his homeland have run their course.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
