Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is a World Cup winner after lifting the famous trophy with Argentina in 2022.
Lisandro Martinez became the fifth Manchester United player to win the World Cup while under contract to the club in 2022.
While he started games at the tournament, Martinez did not actually play in the final, with Nicolas Otamendi preferred.
Now at the Copa America 2024, Argentina are looking to win another tournament, and Martinez has secured his starting spot.
Lisandro Martinez backed to keep his spot
Argentina have won their two opening games at the Copa America 1-0, beating Canada and then Peru.
Martinez has won rave reviews during the tournament so far, praised in his homeland. He has struck up an impressive partnership alongside Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
The former Ajax defender is now being tipped to keep his spot long-term, for the next World Cup.
Former Argentine footballer Ruben Flotta is quoted by Analisis Digital in his homeland, where he spoke of his admiration for the defender.
He said: “I think Scaloni is looking for a replacement for Otamendi with a view to the next World Cup and it seems good to me that he continues looking at other players.
“Lisandro is a great player, he shows it at Manchester United in the most competitive league in the world.
“He shows day by day that he is a great player and over time he will keep the position.”
There will be a lot of responsibility on the Argentina players to try and retain the trophy in 2026, and Martinez will embrace the challenge.
Alejandro Garnacho waits for his chance
Flotta did not discuss Martinez’s Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho, because he has not kicked a ball for his country yet at Euro 2024.
Garnacho, 19, could get a chance in Argentina’s final group game against Peru, with qualification already assured.
Manager Lionel Scaloni has admitted he will rotate, and wants the likes of Garnacho to cause him some selection problems for the knockout stages.
By 2026, Garnacho will hope to land a starting spot of his own. But one step at a time…