Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez claims he ‘saw things’ in player that he had ‘never seen before in another’ footballer

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez has named the best player he has played alongside and waxed lyrical about what he has seen from his teammate.

Lisandro Martinez played a key role for Argentina in the summer during his country’s successful Copa America title defence in the United States.

The 26-year-old Argentine centre-back endured an injury-hit spell last season at Manchester United, with the Red Devils missing his defensive influence.

Martinez appeared to be back to his best in the Copa America, but the United star has lacked the same impact for the Red Devils in the current campaign.

The Argentina international has currently made nine appearances across all competitions for Erik ten Hag’s men in the 2024-25 campaign.

However, Martinez endured a disappointing performance in the Europa League against Porto in a 3-3 draw before he was dropped from the starting XI.

United manager Erik ten Hag left Martinez as an unused substitute for the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park ahead of the October break.

READ MORE: Paul Merson baffled at how Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not brought two Man Utd legends back to Old Trafford for recruitment

Man Utd star Martinez praises one legend

Lisandro Martinez is one of the Manchester United players away from Old Trafford this week for international duty after he was called up to the Argentina squad.

Argentina will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign during the October international break with matches against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Speaking to JD Football’s TikTok, Martinez was asked to name the best player he has played with in his career and he didn’t hesitate to name Lionel Messi.

Martinez has shared the pitch with Lionel Messi amid Argentina’s successful tournament wins in the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America.

The ex-Ajax star insisted that Barcelona legend Messi has done things he has “never seen before in another player,” with Martinez calling him the “best player” ever.

“Best player I’ve played with? I would say Lionel Messi,” Martinez said.

“Why? Because he’s the best player in the history of football and I play, I’m playing with him in the national team and I saw things that I never seen before in another player, so I think he’s the best player. Yeah.”

READ MORE: Luke Shaw and Casemiro in full agreement over best Man Utd player they’ve played alongside, no ‘explanation’ is needed

Why Martinez was dropped vs Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag dropped both Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt for the Aston Villa clash and opted for a defensive partnership between Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.

Harry Maguire was forced off the pitch at half-time due to injury and Matthijs de Ligt came on in his place, with Jonny Evans seeing out the full 90 minutes against Villa.

Ten Hag revealed that the main reason he changed his centre-back pairing for the trip to Villa Park was due to rotation.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said: “Rotation. We have loads of games.

“We have to rotate the team, the freshness, and I think it was a good decision today.

“I think the performances from Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, they were very solid. But, also, I think Matthijs de Ligt came in at half-time and was very solid.”