The 2026 World Cup is set to kick off this week, with the biggest ever edition of football’s showpiece occasion ready to capture the attention of the globe over the next two months.
Manchester United will be represented heavily across the tournament, with a host of players from Old Trafford chasing glory for their respective nations.
However, only one United star at this year’s competition knows what it’s like to win the famous trophy, having been part of the Argentina squad who secured their place in the history books in Qatar four years ago. Lisandro Martinez has been picked once again by Lionel Scaloni as the Argentines go after back-to-back wins, which would cement them as one of the greatest national sides of all time.
Warm-up’s going well
As with every nation, warm-up games have been taking place in relevant venues, with coaches fine-tuning their tactics and getting their players acclimatised to the conditions they will face in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Argentina played Central American rivals Honduras in a friendly fixture in the early hours of Sunday morning BST, which Martinez started and completed with an impressive 60-minute showing before being replaced by Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.
Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giuliano Simeone gave Scaloni’s men a 2-0 win at Kyle Park, with Argentine media responding well to the performance of the team and the United defender in particular.
As reported by The Mirror, local outlet Clarin rated Martinez a strong six out of ten, describing him as “solid defensively” if not overly troubled by the Honduras attack throughout his hour on the field.
As well as being his usual tenacious self in defending, Martinez also nearly scored the goal of his life through an outrageous bicycle kick attempt from the edge of the box that “surprised everyone” according to Clarin.
Another respected Argentine outlet, La Nacion, also praised the 28-year-old, agreeing with Clarin on the six out of ten match rating and branding him a “dedicated soldier” before citing his “great intensity and desire for never letting up”.
Fitness concerns behind him?
Despite another injury-ravaged campaign at Old Trafford, Martinez did end the season available to Michael Carrick, and La Nacion noted the centre-back as looking “fit and ready whenever needed”, which will be music to Scaloni’s ears as he prepares the defence of the trophy.
Carrick will also be hoping Martinez enjoys a strong tournament and returns to Manchester fit and well to fight for his place in a United squad that will need all hands on deck next season.
United secured an impressive third-place finish in the Premier League last term but will be well aware of the challenges that face them in the new campaign, given the extra demands that come with playing in the Champions League.
Having Martinez fit for the new season will be crucial to United, who undoubtedly look a better side with the Argentine at the heart of the back four. His ability on the ball, coupled with his desire to defend his goal, has made him a cult hero at Old Trafford, and Carrick would love to oversee an injury-free campaign upon his return that could see him bringing back a historic second World Cup winner’s medal.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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