Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez sent a poignant message to one influential Argentina star after La Albiceleste punched their ticket to the final of the 2024 Copa America.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is now within touching distance of leading his country to their third major piece of international silverware in three tournaments.
Lionel Scaloni engineered Argentina’s 2021 Copa America title win before La Albiceleste captured the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022.
Argentina have impressed during their Copa America title defence in the United States this summer, with Lisandro Martinez playing a key role at the tournament.
Martinez has appeared to be back to his best during his time on international duty after his season at Manchester United was hindered due to injuries.
The 26-year-old United star has featured in four of the five matches for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America and earned widespread praise for his performances.
Martinez produced a superb showing in the 2-0 victory over Canada in the Group A opener before he made his presence felt in the 1-0 win over Chile.
The ex-Ajax star was an unused substitute in the final Group A match against Peru, with Argentina already qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Copa America.
Martinez was back in the starting XI for Argentina in the quarter-finals and scored against Ecuador in another stunning performance for his country.
Martinez sends message to Argentina teammate
Lisandro Martinez once again showed his quality on Wednesday with his superb display in the 2-0 win against Canada in the Copa America semi-final.
Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez opened the scoring in the first half before Barcelona legend Lionel Messi added Argentina’s second after the break.
Martinez has proven his exceptional defensive qualities at the tournament so far, with Argentina only conceding twice when he has been on the pitch.
The Manchester United star has linked up superbly well with Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero, with the pair providing excellent cover for Emi Martinez.
Cristian Romero, much like United centre-back Martinez, has been a key defensive figure for Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni at the Copa America this summer.
The 26-year-old Tottenham star took to Instagram after the win over Canada at the MetLife Stadium and sent a clear-cut message to Argentina supporters.
“How beautiful it is to be ARGENTINIAN. What an honor to be part of this beautiful family [Argentina]. One more final. ALL TOGETHER [sic],” Romero wrote.
Martinez wasted no time in showing his admiration for Romero and made his feelings clear to his Argentina teammate after their Copa America success.
“What a pleasure to play with you, brother,” he wrote in the comments.
Martinez talks Canada win and Copa America final
Argentina will face the winner of Uruguay vs Colombia, whose semi-final match is scheduled for Thursday, in the final of the Copa America on 15th July.
Speaking after the Canada match, Martinez said (via Diario El Norte): “We are improving day by day, Canada proposed and when that happens, that the two teams propose looks like a nice spectacle.”
When talking about the final, he added: “It’s football, anything can happen and we have to be ready for the opponent to come.”
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