Crisis escalates as a Manchester United superstar contemplates retirement

A severe injury while playing for Manchester United has plunged Lisandro Martinez into the darkest phase of his career, with the Argentine defender admitting he seriously considered early retirement.

In a recent candid interview, Lisandro Martinez surprised fans by revealing how close he came to deciding to retire. The prolonged struggle with injury at Manchester United not only drained his physical strength but also led him into a profound mental crisis, something rarely spoken about by a player known for his fighting spirit.

Martinez suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the defeat to Crystal Palace in February, sidelining him for nine months. This period was the loneliest and most challenging since the defender joined Old Trafford in 2022. He confessed: “You feel like you’re no longer a footballer”, as each day revolved only around recovery rooms, medication, and repetitive exercises.

It wasn’t just physical pain; Martinez revealed that the mental imbalance was the most terrifying aspect. “I was in pain and thought I would never play again. Looking back, I don’t understand how I got through that period”, the Argentine defender shared. The thought of retirement emerged very early, just weeks into recovery, when almost all positive feelings vanished.

In fact, the ACL injury was just the latest chapter in a series of misfortunes for Martinez at MU. Previously, he had a broken metatarsal in the Europa League match against Sevilla in 2023, requiring two surgeries and a total of about 180 days off. These consecutive injuries caused him to miss crucial finals, from the FA Cup against Manchester City to the Europa League against Tottenham, deepening his sense of helplessness.

Martinez admitted: “After the first two or three weeks, I really didn’t want to play football anymore”. However, support from family, friends, and mental health professionals gradually helped him regain motivation. “I clung to those around me. You shouldn’t take the easy way out by giving up”, he said, viewing this as the turning point that helped him stand firm.

During his recovery, the defender began psychological therapy, focusing on reconnecting with his core values. “It was a relentless daily battle, and my match was every day in the gym”, Martinez described. He emphasized that facing adversity helped him understand himself better and become stronger.

Martinez’s return at the end of November, in the victory over Crystal Palace, held special significance as a way to close the nightmare cycle. “With each passing month, I felt stronger. Today, on the pitch, I feel amazing”, he shared emotionally.

With over 100 appearances for MU, Lisandro Martinez remains a key defensive figure. Overcoming the urge to retire and returning to the field is not only a personal triumph but also a clear demonstration of the resilience of a player who hit rock bottom but refused to give up.