Argentine International from United: I Thought About Quitting, But Seeing My Wife Give Birth Motivated Me to Keep Going

Argentina's central defender, Lisandro Martinez, has revealed he considered retiring from football due to a severe injury that sidelined him for almost the entirety of 2025.

“When I think about everything I went through because of my injury, it brings tears to my eyes. I was contemplating quitting football after tearing my cruciate ligaments last year. I just didn't want to suffer anymore. I truly hit rock bottom, but then my daughter was born, and that somehow brought balance to everything. I saw my wife give birth, putting in immense effort, and at that moment, I told myself: 'How can I not keep fighting?'” Martinez shared with TyC Sports.

The Manchester United defender also heaped praise on Lionel Messi following Argentina's 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16. Martinez brilliantly assisted the team captain for the opening goal of the match. “Leo Messi is a tremendous example because he has suffered a lot throughout his career. He has endured defeats but has never given up. Today he is 39 years old, and he continues to fight, even though he has already won everything and has nothing left to prove. He is the best in history, not just in football, but in all sports. It's insane. For those of us who come after him – how can we not continue to fight when the greatest of all time does it with such passion? We must follow him in exactly the same way,” the 28-year-old player stated to ESPN.