Lisandro Martinez moved to Europe before establishing himself as one of the world’s best defenders, but the prospect of returning to play in Argentina is one the Manchester United star is open to in the future.
Since joining Manchester United from Ajax in July 2022, Lisandro Martinez has been an important player when fit.
The Argentine centre-back was the heartbeat of United’s defence in his debut season, winning the Carabao Cup as Erik ten Hag’s side ended a six-year trophy drought.
Martinez remains a starter – when fit – under Michael Carrick, but there will be questions over his availability as United head into the 2026/27 campaign. It doesn’t help that Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t played in months due to an ongoing back issue.
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Lisandro Martinez has unfinished business at Newell’s Old Boys
In 2016, the reserve side at Newell’s Old Boys won the championship, and Martinez was part of the squad.
The United defender left Newell’s Old Boys a year later without making a single appearance for the first team.
Not only did Martinez go on to win the World Cup with Argentina, but he also plays for United, the biggest football club in the world.
In a new interview cited by La Capital, Martinez admitted that at some point in his career he would “love” to return to Argentinian football.
“With Newell’s, I still have a thorn in my side, a feeling of not being able to continue playing there because I made my first-team debut and then I didn’t,” Martinez said.
“In football, you can’t just say ‘I’m going back here or there,’ a lot of things can happen.
“I’d like to go back, but whatever happens, happens.”
Martinez will be aiming to prove his critics wrong by ensuring he stays fit and performs consistently for United next season. He missed too much football again this season.
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Lisandro Martinez aiming for back-to-back World Cup success
Martinez looks set to compete in his second World Cup this summer, after making the preliminary list for Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
The 28-year-old has warned that Argentina will go again with the intention of conquering the World Cup.
“For me, we haven’t won anything yet,” Martinez said, as per DirectTV Sports.
“In my mind, I’m going to the World Cup thinking that we haven’t won anything yet. We know we’ve won everything, but we’re preparing to go out and win it all again.”
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