Lisandro Martínez
Argentina
DEF
Age
28
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Lisandro Martínez
Lisandro Martínez is a centre-back in Lionel Scaloni's preliminary 55-man and trimmed 35-man Argentina groups for the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester United defender is 28 at kick-off and brings 26 senior caps and one international goal as of 11 May 2026. If he is confirmed in the final 26, 2026 will be his second senior World Cup after winning Qatar 2022.
Argentina start in Group J against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with the opener against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June. Scaloni's side qualified by winning CONMEBOL's round-robin on 25 March 2025. Martínez remains a defensive option while the final-26 cut is still pending, so his tournament status stays conditional rather than final-confirmed.
Argentina start in Group J against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with the opener against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June. Scaloni's side qualified by winning CONMEBOL's round-robin on 25 March 2025. Martínez remains a defensive option while the final-26 cut is still pending, so his tournament status stays conditional rather than final-confirmed.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Tackles won
0
Interceptions
0
Clearances
0
Blocks
0
Playing Style
Martínez is primarily a centre-back, with left-back and defensive-midfield cover also grounded in his Defensa y Justicia and Ajax roles. He is a left-footed, ball-playing defender known for passing range and composure; in the 2021-22 Eredivisie season, he averaged more passes per 90 minutes than any other player.
The centre-back profile is not height-led. At 5ft 9in he is still effective in duels, and his game leans on aggressive defending, a tough ball-playing style and calm distribution from the back.
The centre-back profile is not height-led. At 5ft 9in he is still effective in duels, and his game leans on aggressive defending, a tough ball-playing style and calm distribution from the back.
World Cup History
Martínez has played at one senior World Cup before 2026. At Qatar 2022, he came off the bench against Australia in the round of 16 and made an important block on Aziz Behich. He then started against Netherlands in the quarter-finals and came off the bench against Croatia in the semi-finals.
In the final against France, Martínez was an unused substitute as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. If selected in the final 26, 2026 would be his second senior World Cup.
In the final against France, Martínez was an unused substitute as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. If selected in the final 26, 2026 would be his second senior World Cup.
National Team
Argentina
Tier 1
£32m
📋 Teammates (14)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Argentina sit in Tier 1 on the Goal Rush card with a £32m slot cost within the game's £200m card budget, backed by a 10.7 team xG projection that ranks fourth. Group J starts against Algeria before Austria and Jordan.
Martínez's contribution is defensive. He is listed as a centre-back, returned to Manchester United training in April 2026, and gives Argentina a left-footed ball-playing option whose passing and duels can help protect the team slot.
Martínez's contribution is defensive. He is listed as a centre-back, returned to Manchester United training in April 2026, and gives Argentina a left-footed ball-playing option whose passing and duels can help protect the team slot.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Martínez at the 2026 World Cup
Martínez's 2026 checkpoint is fitness plus final-squad confirmation. He returned to Manchester United training in April 2026 after a 2025 ACL tear and a 45-day calf injury, and remains in Argentina's preliminary groups. The working profile is centre-back, Manchester United, 26 caps, one goal, final 26 pending.
Picking Argentina in Goal Rush
Argentina are a Tier 1 call on the Goal Rush card at £32m within the game's £200m card budget. Martínez is part of the Argentina Tier 1 team card as a listed centre-back, with the £32m slot value driven by Scaloni's 4-3-3 shape, the CONMEBOL qualifying run, and the Group J fixtures against Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Lisandro Martínez World Cup 2026 FAQs
Martínez affects Goal Rush through Argentina's Tier 1 team slot at £32m, with a 10.7 team xG projection ranking fourth. His matchday signal is defensive: centre-back status, left-footed build-up play, duel strength and an April 2026 Manchester United training return before final-26 confirmation.
Martínez is a centre-back. He is a left-footed, ball-playing defender known for his range of passing and composure on the ball, and is also capable of playing at left-back and as a defensive midfielder, having featured in those roles at Defensa y Justicia and Ajax.
Martínez has 26 caps for Argentina as of 11 May 2026, with one international goal. He returned to Manchester United training in April 2026 after a 2025 ACL tear and a 45-day calf injury, and remains in Argentina's preliminary groups before final-26 confirmation.
Martínez plays for Manchester United. He won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in Qatar, coming off the bench against Australia in the round of 16 to make an important block on a shot by Aziz Behich, and starting against Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
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