Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez considered walking away from football after a torn ACL in February 2025.

What happened?

The Argentine defender had been dealing with a string of injury setbacks, including foot problems that disrupted his rhythm at Old Trafford. By the time the ACL went, the accumulated weight of those stoppages had worn him down psychologically as much as physically.

A World Cup comeback worth the wait

Martinez not only recovered but earned selection in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making 19 appearances for Manchester United during the 2025-26 season, as the club managed his return carefully given the severity of the injury. He featured prominently in Argentina's squad and delivered a standout defensive display as the defending champions opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory.

The road to redemption

Martinez's willingness to say publicly that he did not want to play football anymore cuts against the traditional stoicism, and his limited appearance count for United this season reflects the club's careful management of a player coming back from one of the more serious injuries in football. With Manchester United currently standing 3rd in Premier League with 71 points, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, and on a 4-game winning run, Martinez's redemption story serves as a reminder of the team's resilience. As the team prepares for their next fixture vs AC Milan at home on 2026-08-15, Martinez's journey from near-retirement to World Cup redemption is a reminder of the highs and lows of the sport, with the team's recent form showing 4W-1D-0L in their last 5 games, and Benjamin Šeško and Manuel Ugarte currently sidelined.