Man United defender Martinez addresses injury fears after World Cup heartbreak
By Luke Oluoch, July 22, 2026Argentine centre-back Lisandro Martínez has broken his silence on the injury suffered during the 2026 World Cup finals, saying he looks forward to getting back fit and in time for the new season with Manchester United.
In a statement shared on his official X page on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Martinez also spoke about the injury that led to his withdrawal during the first half of the final clash against Spain.
He reassured his fans that he is looking to get back stronger.
World Cup defeat
“Losing with Argentina at the World Cup hurt a lot, but these things happen in football. Injuries are part of the game, and right now I am focused on getting back to 100 per cent,” he stated.
“I am working hard every day to come back stronger for the new season with Manchester United. This club and the fans have given me everything. I can’t wait to give it back on the pitch,”
On the World Cup final heartbreak, the ex-Ajax defender admitted it was a pity that Albiceleste could not retain their World crown.
Despite a valiant fight, Lionel Scaloni’s team went down in extra time after Ferran Torres’s 106th-minute strike sent Spain over the line and into their second World Cup crown.
“With a heavy heart for not having been able to bring home the cup that we all deserved, but with pride bursting at the seams for this jersey, for my teammates, the coaching staff, the executives, the medical team, the cooks, the kit men, and every single person who was involved to make all of this work in the best possible way,”he added.
While congratulating new champions, Spain, Martinez joined his teammate Enzo Fernandes in defense of Argentina’s show of resilience en route to the final defeat.
“I want to congratulate Spain on their well-deserved title.”
“And to our people, I want to say that the result doesn’t define the journey we took. We faced adversities, we made the impossible possible, and we never looked for excuses, only reasons to keep going.
“We defended our colors far beyond the pitch and shared unforgettable moments with the National Team, alongside our families and with the unwavering support of all Argentinians. It will always be an immense pride to represent you,” he declared.
Martinez was part of Argentina’s title-winning squad in 2022 in Qatar but failed just short of defending it in the concluded competition in North America.