Manchester United's esteemed defender, Lisandro Martínez, has candidly shared the profound struggles he endured during his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), revealing that at the peak of his despair, he seriously contemplated abandoning his football career. "After the first two or three weeks, I didn't want to play football anymore. Because I'd already gone through the foot fracture, and now the knee ... I said, 'That's it, I don't want to know anything else,'" the Argentina international confessed in an interview with AFA Estudio.

Martínez's harrowing journey with injuries commenced at the close of the 2022-23 season with a foot ailment, which was then followed by a series of setbacks that severely limited his appearances to a mere 11 Premier League matches in the subsequent campaign. The most significant blow arrived in February 2025 with the torn ACL, necessitating surgery that sidelined him for a grueling 10 months. He described the immediate aftermath of injury as a complete loss of balance due to "unbearable" pain, leading to thoughts of retreating to his family in Argentina and abandoning the sport to "enjoy life." He acknowledged a period of "mourning" where he felt disconnected from himself.

The arduous rehabilitation process demanded a complete reinvention of the 27-year-old, not just physically but also mentally and personally. During this intense period, the persistent pain and the daunting fear of never regaining his previous form were constant companions. He noted, "You feel like you aren't a football player." Martínez credits a robust support system, including his inner circle and professional psychological assistance, for helping him navigate these challenges. However, one pivotal life event served as his most powerful catalyst for perseverance: the birth of his daughter.

"What made the difference was the birth of my daughter. I got injured and a month later she was born, and I said: 'No, no ... there is no chance I'm giving up.' She was my engine every day. I went to every training session to give my best purely and exclusively for my daughter," he stated, emphasizing her role as his primary motivation. This new perspective reignited his determination.

The centre-back triumphantly returned to the pitch on November 30 against Crystal Palace. Since then, he has progressively reintegrated into the Manchester United lineup and resumed training with the Argentine national team under Lionel Scaloni, signifying the coaching staff's confidence in his capabilities as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Martínez expressed pleasant surprise at the smoothness of his return, attributing it to careful minute management and the club's exceptional support. "Physically and mentally, I am better than ever," he affirmed.

Reflecting on his adversity, Martínez adopted a profound perspective, using his hardship as a means for personal growth. He sought to understand the lessons his injury was conveying, how he could improve, and saw it as a "positive message." He believes that sometimes one must endure setbacks to learn and restart, realizing that moments of overconfidence can be met with such challenges to realign one's path. While acknowledging that no one desires an injury, he concluded, "thanks to this injury I can say today that I have changed a lot as a person. My perspective on life: I value life more, the weather, the smell of the grass, a ball, stepping onto the pitch -- everything."