“I always felt…” Lisandro Martínez reveals forgotten Manchester United hero is his idol

Lisandro Martínez, away with Argentina, has revealed that a forgotten Manchester United hero is a player he looks up to.

Since joining Manchester United in 2022, Lisandro Martínez has become a key figure in the club’s defence. Nicknamed “The Butcher” for his aggressive, hard-tackling style, Martínez has won over fans and pundits with his commitment, intelligence, and ball-playing ability.

His partnership with Raphaël Varane last season improved United’s defensive stability when the pair played, although this was few and far between due to injury problems. Martínez’s versatility, being able to play as a centre-back or in defensive midfield, has made him a vital asset under manager Erik ten Hag, who previously worked with him at Ajax.

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Despite concerns about his height for a Premier League centre-back, Martínez has proven doubters wrong with his timing, positioning, and fearless approach. His technical skills, calmness under pressure, and leadership on the pitch have earned him high praise.

Having won two trophies during his first two seasons at United, Martínez has been a stalwart figure at the club. Speaking with La Nacion, he has revealed his admiration for forgotten United hero Gabriel Heinze.

Heinze played for United between 2004 and 2007 before leaving for Real Madrid. He made 83 appearances as a centre-back under Sir Alex Ferguson, and Martínez has revealed that he very much sees himself in Heinze.

“I have always seen myself in him,” Martínez revealed.

“The way he took on each game, his determination, how he fought for his team, how he fought to win. That blood, that personality… I always felt I identified with him, his game, and his way of being.

“One day… I was in the lower divisions of Newell’s. I must have been 15/16 years old, and they sent us to do something in the gym. He was injured, and because of his rehabilitation, he was having problems, and I kept looking at him.

“The seriousness with which he did those exercises, it was killing me. I couldn’t stop looking at him. I only spoke to him once, but I would love to really meet him for a long chat, to talk a lot about football and life with him.”

La Nacion asked Martinez why Argentine footballers often end up loved by supporters in England, to which he replied: “Do you know what happens? We Argentines are very grateful, when someone gives us a hand, opens their home to us, bets on us and trusts us, we return it and kill for the one who believed.

“I’ll explain it to you like this: clubs buy us, and then, automatically, an internal instinct awakens in us that tells us that we have to give our lives for that club. We Argentines are very competitive, so we want to take that club to the top.

“And that way of being causes you to motivate your teammates, for them to catch on, for the mentality to be positive and winning. People immediately pick up on it.

“I think that’s why we’re so loved: the fans want their players to give their lives for their club, and the Argentines do just that. We immediately blend in with the club, and the fans notice it quickly. And something else: that connection happens because it’s spontaneous, it’s not forced, it’s from the heart, it’s noble. There are no poses.”

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