 |
Messi scored, but Lisandro Martinez created the moment that made Argentina the difference. |
Lisandro Martinez was very close to retiring. The Argentinian defender admitted to considering retirement after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last year.
That wasn't the fleeting lament of a player who had just experienced a setback, but rather the feeling of exhaustion from someone who had gone through too much physical pain.
From the depths of trauma to the reason to get back up.
Martinez had suffered other serious injuries, including a fractured foot. But the anterior cruciate ligament injury was the worst blow. He called it "the worst of all." In the first month after the incident, Martinez admitted there were times he didn't want to take it anymore.
For a player whose style of play is built on aggression, speed, pressing, and relentless tackles, an injury like that doesn't just hurt the body. It strikes at the heart, making one question whether they can ever return to their former glory. For Martinez, that question was once big enough to make him consider retiring from football.
But then his daughter was born.
Martinez recounted that the moment he saw his wife give birth and witnessed her immense effort helped him regain his balance. He asked himself, "How could I possibly stop fighting?"
It's a very real question, but also very football-related. Because ultimately, a player's career isn't defined solely by big games, but also by how they bounce back after days when it seems impossible to move forward.
 |
Against Cape Verde in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup on the morning of July 4th, Martinez not only returned, he returned with a powerful performance.
It was a game where the Argentinian center-back showcased his full potential: solid defensively, composed in his ball handling, and bold enough to make a difference up front. The numbers speak for themselves: 98% passing accuracy, 21 passes into the final third, 6 clearances, 4 ball recoveries, not a single dribble past him, along with 1 goal and 1 assist.
For a center-back, it's no longer just about performing adequately. It's a game for a player who has an influence at both ends of the pitch.
Roy Keane was right: don't just look at Messi.
Lionel Messi 's goal naturally steals the headlines. When Messi scores, especially at the World Cup, all the headlines easily revolve around him. That's not wrong. Messi remains the biggest figure, the one who finishes off the moment and turns a play into an image that the whole world talks about.
But Roy Keane was right to ask people to look back at the starting point of that play.
The former Manchester United star believes that while people are perfectly justified in talking about Messi's goal, not enough people are mentioning Lisandro Martinez's pass. For Keane, it was a top-class assist: perfectly timed, with the right power, the right vision, and the right moment.
 |
What's remarkable is that Martinez made that play look so easy. But it's precisely that "ease" that's a sign of class. A center-back isn't just about clearing the ball, not just about tackling, not just about rushing into the thick of the action. He reads the space, recognizes the moment to penetrate the opponent's defensive structure, and then delivers a pass that puts Messi in a position to make a difference.
That's the kind of contribution that's often overshadowed by the goal. The goalscorer gets celebrated, while the player who initiated the play sometimes only appears as a minor detail. But with Martinez, that detail speaks volumes about his role in Argentina today.
Keane also emphasized that Martinez is becoming one of Argentina's most important players. On the defensive front, he is aggressive, calm, and reads the game well. When in possession, Martinez can initiate attacks with through passes. Not many center-backs can do both of those things at such a high intensity.
Argentina needs Messi to decide moments. But they also need players like Martinez to bring the game to that point. A great team can't rely solely on the inspiration of a star striker. They need players behind them who can defend solidly, pass cleanly, and have the courage to break through the opponent's front line with a bold decision.
The 3-2 victory against Cape Verde was therefore not just a great performance from Martinez. It was also a declaration of his comeback after a period that seemed to have jeopardized his career. From considering retirement, Martinez stepped onto the pitch, scored goals, provided assists, defended solidly, and even prompted Roy Keane to speak up.
Messi may still be making headlines. But behind Messi's moment is Lisandro Martinez, quietly transforming himself into a figure not to be underestimated in Argentina.
Source: https://znews.vn/roy-keane-da-dung-ve-lisandro-martinez-post1666040.html
