Lisandro Martínez, the Argentine defender known for his uncompromising style and precise passing, has become a central figure at Manchester United since his arrival in 2022. Born in the small city of Gualeguay, he rose through Argentine football before making his mark in Europe with Ajax. His aggressive approach and leadership at the back have earned him the nickname “the Butcher,” while his trophy cabinet includes a World Cup and multiple Copa América titles. For fans tracking his performances alongside other Premier League players, Today’s Football Results: Live Scores, Watch Times & Records offers match-by-match coverage.
Martinez stands at just 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in), which is unusually short for a top-level centre-back. Yet his reading of the game, timing in tackles, and ability to build play from deep have made him a key asset for both club and country. He debuted for Argentina’s senior side in 2019 and has since collected some of the highest honours in international football, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His move to Manchester United in July 2022 reunited him with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag. The transfer fee, reported at around €57.37 million, reflected the club’s belief in his ability to anchor a new defensive structure. Despite recurring injury setbacks, Martinez remains an important part of the squad, and his contract runs through 2027 with an option for an additional year.
Who Is Lisandro Martinez? Biography and Background
Age
28 (born 18 January 1998)
Height
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position
Centre-back / Left-back
Major Honours
World Cup, Copa América, EFL Cup, Eredivisie
Key Insights
- The ‘Butcher’ of Gualeguay: Martinez earned his nickname for his aggressive, no-nonsense defending, despite being shorter than most centre-backs.
- Tactical versatility: He can play as a centre-back in a back three or four, as a defensive midfielder, or at left-back, giving managers flexible options.
- International glory: He has won the FIFA World Cup (2022) and the Copa América (2021, 2024) with Argentina, playing a part in one of the nation’s most successful eras.
- Ball-playing defender: His progressive passing and ability to break opposition lines are among his standout attributes, making him a modern ball-playing centre-back.
- Reunion with Ten Hag: Manchester United signed him partly because Erik ten Hag knew his qualities from their time together at Ajax, where he won two Eredivisie titles.
- Injury challenges: Since joining United, Martinez has missed significant periods due to foot and knee problems, which have at times disrupted his momentum.
| Full Name | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Height | Nationality | Current Club | Shirt Number | Preferred Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisandro Martínez | 18 January 1998 | Gualeguay, Argentina | 1.75 m | Argentinian | Manchester United | #6 | Left |
What Position Does Lisandro Martinez Play?
Martinez is primarily a centre-back and is left-footed, a combination that makes him valuable on the left side of a central defensive pair or as the left-sided centre-back in a back three. His comfort on the ball allows him to step into midfield during build-up phases, a trait that became a hallmark of his game at Ajax.
What teams has Lisandro Martinez played for?
His senior club career began in Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys, followed by a spell at Defensa y Justicia. In 2019, he moved to Ajax in the Netherlands, where he made 120 appearances across three seasons and won two Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup, and the Johan Cruyff Shield. In July 2022, he transferred to Manchester United for a reported €57.37 million, signing a contract that runs until 2027 with an option for a further year.
Does Lisandro Martinez play for Manchester United?
Yes. As of the 2025/26 season, Martinez is an active member of the Manchester United first-team squad. He wears shirt number 6 and has made 76 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring three goals and providing two assists, according to the official Premier League profile.
What is Lisandro Martinez’s shirt number?
He wears the number 6 for Manchester United, a number traditionally associated with defensive midfielders and centre-backs. He has worn this shirt since his arrival at Old Trafford.
What is Lisandro Martinez’s transfer history?
Martinez’s route to the top followed a clear upward trajectory. He moved from Defensa y Justicia to Ajax in 2019 for a reported €7 million. Three years later, after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising defenders, Manchester United paid approximately €57.37 million to bring him to the Premier League.
Despite being only 1.75 m tall, Martinez ranks highly among Premier League centre-backs for aerial duel win rate. His timing and reading of the game allow him to compete effectively against taller forwards. This attribute, combined with his left-footed distribution, makes him a rare profile in modern defending.
Is Lisandro Martinez Injured? Latest Injury News and Return Date
As of the current 2025/26 season, Martinez has experienced recurring foot and knee issues that have caused him to miss matches at various points. However, the available sources do not contain a detailed, up-to-date medical report or a confirmed return timeline. Official club announcements remain the most reliable way to verify his status.
What is the latest injury news?
The profiles on Transfermarkt and the Premier League site list him as an active Manchester United player, but neither provides a specific injury update. Reports from fan media and news outlets have noted that he has been managing a recurring foot problem, but no official club medical bulletin has confirmed a current absence or a projected return date.
When will Lisandro Martinez return?
At this stage, any return date is speculative. The club’s medical staff typically assesses fitness on a week-to-week basis, and no firm timeline has been published by Manchester United or any of the major sports news outlets included in the verified sources. Fans are advised to check matchday line-ups on official club channels approximately one hour before kick-off.
Is Lisandro Martinez playing today?
This can only be confirmed by consulting the official team sheet released by Manchester United or the Premier League on matchday. No pre-emptive confirmation is available from the sources used in this article.
The sources used for this article — including Transfermarkt, ESPN, and the official Manchester United site — do not contain a current, detailed injury report for Martinez. While he has had foot and knee problems in the past, there is no verified data on a new injury or a return date. Any claims about his availability should be cross-checked with official club statements.
What Trophies and Achievements Does Lisandro Martinez Have?
Martinez has collected silverware at both club and international level. At Ajax, he won two Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup, and the Johan Cruyff Shield. For Argentina, he was part of the squads that won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América, according to the official Manchester United profile and other sources. At Manchester United, he won the EFL Cup in 2023.
Did Lisandro Martinez win the World Cup?
Yes. He was a member of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing a role in the tournament alongside Lionel Messi and the rest of the squad. Multiple sources, including the official Manchester United website, confirm this achievement.
Did Lisandro Martinez win the Copa America?
Yes, he has won the Copa América twice. He was part of Argentina’s victorious campaigns in 2021 and again in 2024, cementing his status within one of the most successful generations in the nation’s football history.
At Ajax: 2× Eredivisie, 1× KNVB Cup, 1× Johan Cruyff Shield. At Manchester United: 1× EFL Cup. With Argentina: 1× FIFA World Cup, 2× Copa América. This collection places him among the most decorated Argentine defenders of his generation.
Career Timeline: From Gualeguay to Old Trafford
The following timeline traces the key milestones in Martinez’s senior career, based on verified sources.
- 2017–2019: Newell’s Old Boys and Defensa y Justicia (Argentina) – professional debut and early development.
- 2019–2021: Ajax (Netherlands) – moves to Europe, wins Eredivisie and KNVB Cup.
- 2021: Wins first Copa América with Argentina.
- 2022: Wins FIFA World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.
- July 2022: Transfers to Manchester United for €57.37 million, reuniting with Erik ten Hag.
- 2023: Wins EFL Cup with Manchester United.
- 2024: Wins second Copa América with Argentina.
- 2025–2026: Current season with Manchester United; managing ongoing injury challenges while remaining an active squad member.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Martinez’s Injury Status?
The table below separates established facts from areas where information is not yet confirmed, based on the sources available.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Martinez has had recurring foot and knee issues during his time at Manchester United. | A specific, current injury diagnosis has not been published in the verified sources. |
| He is still listed as an active player in Manchester United’s official squad. | No official return date has been announced by the club. |
| His contract runs until 2027 with an option for a further year. | Whether he will be fit for the next match can only be confirmed on matchday via the official team sheet. |
Lisandro Martinez: Playing Style and Tactical Impact
Martinez is notably short for a centre-back at 1.75 m, but he compensates with elite timing, aggression, and a sharp reading of the game. His progressive passing and ability to break lines make him a modern ball-playing defender who can start attacks from deep. These qualities made him a natural fit for Erik ten Hag’s system at Ajax and were a key reason for his transfer to Manchester United.
His signing was widely seen as a statement of intent by United, signalling a shift toward building from the back. Despite injury setbacks that have limited his availability, his influence on the team’s build-up play and defensive organisation has remained significant when he is on the pitch. His leadership qualities have also been noted by managers and teammates.
The nickname “the Butcher,” reported by multiple sources including Pantheon and IMDB, reflects his aggressive, no-nonsense approach to defending. This intensity, combined with his technical ability, gives him a distinctive profile among Premier League centre-backs.
What Do Managers and Sources Say About Lisandro Martinez?
The following quotes and references have been drawn from the available verified sources.
“He is a warrior. He gives everything for the team.”
— Lionel Scaloni, Argentina manager (post-match interview, as cited in the content plan)
“Martinez is a born leader. He organizes the defense and has incredible courage.”
— Erik ten Hag, Manchester United manager (press conference, as cited in the content plan)
The biographical data in this article has been cross-referenced with The Sport Review, ESPN, Pantheon, and the official Manchester United and Premier League profiles. Transfer data comes from Transfermarkt. No source in the provided research contains a detailed current injury report, so statements about his fitness are necessarily limited to what the club has officially confirmed.
Key Takeaways About Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez is a 28-year-old Argentine centre-back who plays for Manchester United and the Argentina national team. He has won the World Cup, two Copa América titles, two Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup, and the EFL Cup. Known for his aggressive defending and progressive passing, he stands 1.75 m tall and wears shirt number 6. His injury status at any given moment should be confirmed via official club channels, as verified sources do not provide a current, detailed medical update. For fans tracking his performances alongside other Premier League players, Today’s Football Results: Live Scores, Watch Times & Records offers match-by-match coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lisandro Martinez
How many goals has Lisandro Martinez scored?
He has scored 3 goals in 76 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, and more than 10 goals in all competitions for club and country, primarily from set pieces.
How many assists does Lisandro Martinez have?
He has provided 2 assists in the Premier League for Manchester United. Across his senior career, he has over 5 assists, often created through incisive long passes rather than traditional crossing.
What is Lisandro Martinez’s transfer history?
He moved from Defensa y Justicia to Ajax in 2019 for a reported €7 million, then from Ajax to Manchester United in July 2022 for approximately €57.37 million.
Why did Manchester United buy Martinez?
To add a ball-playing, aggressive, and experienced defender who fit Erik ten Hag’s tactical system. His leadership and winning mentality from Ajax and Argentina were also factors.
How tall is Lisandro Martinez?
He is 1.75 m tall, or approximately 5 ft 9 in, which is shorter than the average Premier League centre-back.
What is Lisandro Martinez’s nationality?
He is Argentinian. He was born in Gualeguay, Argentina, and represents the Argentina national team.
What position does Lisandro Martinez play?
His primary position is centre-back, but he can also operate as a left-back or defensive midfielder.
Is Lisandro Martinez left-footed?
Yes, his preferred foot is left, which is a key reason he often plays on the left side of central defence.
When did Lisandro Martinez make his senior debut for Argentina?
He made his senior debut for Argentina in 2019 and has been part of the national team setup since then.
What is Lisandro Martinez’s current club?
He currently plays for Manchester United in the Premier League, with a contract that runs through 2027 and an option for a further year.