The CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers return in March, and Argentina have two important matches against Uruguay and Brazil. However, Lionel Messi and company will be without one of their key players, as Lisandro Martinez has suffered a serious knee injury.

According to TyC Sports, the defender tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season. Martinez was carried off the field at Old Trafford in tears during Manchester United’s defeat against Crystal Palace.

He suffered the injury in the 82nd minute of the match after stumbling while challenging Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr. However, United have yet to confirm the full extent of the injury, as the player is set to undergo further tests.

‘Licha’ has dealt with other serious injuries recently, missing four months in 2023 due to a metatarsal fracture and then eight weeks with a ligament injury in 2024. His absence will affect Lionel Scaloni’s plans for Argentina in the remainder of the qualifying tournament.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina to face Brazil and Uruguay without key defenders

Martinez’s absence is a major blow for Argentina, led by Messi, who will face two bitter rivals in March. They will first travel to Montevideo to play against Uruguay on March 21, before hosting Brazil at Estadio Monumental on March 25.

Martinez is not the only defender at risk of missing the matches. Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, who suffered a hamstring injury in December, is also in doubt. However, Scaloni has defensive options, including veteran Nicolas Otamendi, who has filled in for Martinez on previous occasions.

The Argentina coach could also turn to Facundo Medina, who plays for Lens and can also feature as a left-back, as well as 21-year-old Valentin Gomez, who recently signed with Udinese.

When can Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Several countries have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina, currently atop the CONMEBOL standings, could secure their spot with wins over Brazil and Uruguay, depending on other results.

“I always use Leo Messi as an example,” Lisandro Martinez said in an interview with TNT Sports Mexico. “He suffered a lot in the Argentina national team… he lost finals and even at one point thought that the national team was not for him. But he kept going, and with the support of his close people, look at the success that was behind that mountain. If he endured that, what’s left for the rest of us?”

Martinez witnessed Messi’s journey firsthand, joining the national team alongside a new wave of players under coach Lionel Scaloni. Together, they helped the Inter Miami forward achieve his dream of international glory.

“For me, he is a great example that you have to be very patient, never give up, work, and trust until the end,” Martinez emphasized. “Everything that happened in the Argentina National Team I apply to my personal lifestyle as well as in soccer.”

Manchester United’s crisis

Manchester United’s current struggles are part of a long-standing decline since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Over the past decade, the Red Devils have failed to win the Premier League and haven’t lifted the UEFA Champions League since 2008. Meanwhile, their rivals, Manchester City, have enjoyed an unprecedented golden era, further highlighting United’s shortcomings.

This season, under new coach Ruben Amorim, United sits 13th in the Premier League table. Their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford last Sunday deepened the crisis, leaving fans and players frustrated.

“I know it’s very difficult to be here now, after losing at our stadium, but you win this by working hard, analyzing mistakes, and moving forward,” Martinez explained. “We know how immense this club is and what it demands, and the truth is that pressure is nice. Unfortunately, we are not in a good moment in terms of results, but I think we are creating something great, and with time, you will see what we are capable of.”

Messi’s legacy as a beacon for United

Lionel Messi made his debut with Argentina in 2005 and endured 16 years without a title, despite competing in four World Cups and five Copa Americas. He faced heavy criticism but persevered through adversity. Everything changed with the 2021 Copa America victory, which seemed to free Messi from the weight of past failures. He followed that with wins in the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America.

Martinez believes this story of resilience and triumph can inspire Manchester United to reclaim their place among soccer’s elite. With patience, hard work, and determination, the Red Devils could begin writing a new chapter of glory—just as Messi and Argentina did.

Martinez’s absence was confirmed shortly after Pezzella’s, as he’s still dealing with a hip injury sustained while playing for his club. After evaluating his condition, Scaloni and Argentina’s medical team made the decision to sideline him for both upcoming matches.

In response, Argentina announced on social media that Facundo Medina from France’s Lens would join the squad. The versatile center-back can also play on the left, providing Scaloni additional options in defense. So far, Medina is the only replacement called up for Argentina’s injured players.

This marks the third injury-related loss for Argentina since the roster was initially announced. The first to go down was Nicolas Gonzalez, who suffered a quad strain in early October and hasn’t seen any action with Juventus since.

Medina’s return to Argentina’s lineup

Medina rejoins the national team after a year, having previously appeared for Scaloni in some matches. As a left-footed defender, he provides both central and left-back coverage—a valuable asset for Scaloni, who has only Nicolas Tagliafico listed at left-back.

The Lens defender has three caps with Argentina, two of which came during World Cup Qualifiers, while his last appearance was in June 2023 in a friendly against Indonesia.

Argentina’s upcoming matches

Messi and his team are set to face Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco Stadium on Thursday, November 14, and then will host Peru at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, November 19.

Currently, Argentina lead the CONMEBOL standings with 22 points, followed by Colombia with 19. Paraguay sit in sixth place with 13 points and are in need of a win to stay in contention, while Peru, second-to-last with just six points, face the threat of early elimination.

Argentina’s adjusted roster after the recent changes

With Medina joining the team and the trio of injured players officially out, Scaloni’s revised roster for the Paraguay and Peru matchups is as follows:

• Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Walter Benítez, Gerónimo Rulli.
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Nehuén Pérez, Facundo Medina, Nicolás Tagliafico.
• Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso, Enzo Barrenechea, Thiago Almada, Facundo Buonanotte, Nicolás Paz.
• Forwards: Lionel Messi, Alejandro Garnacho, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Valentín Castellanos.

Following the match, defender Lisandro Martinez came under fire from Manchester United supporters after sharing a controversial photograph while on international duty with Argentina. The backlash comes in the wake of a challenging period for Martinez and his club.

The Argentine defender has endured a rough patch with Manchester United, having featured in consecutive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool. The loss to Liverpool, a 3-0 thrashing, was particularly demoralizing for the team. Despite these recent struggles, Martinez posed for a photo with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who is also his Argentina teammate.

Social Media Backlash for Lisandro Martinez

In the photograph, Martinez, 26, is seen smiling alongside Mac Allister, without any other Argentina teammates in the frame. This choice of timing has sparked criticism among United fans, who felt it was inappropriate given the recent heavy defeat to Liverpool.

Martinez’s photo, taken amidst a period of discontent for Manchester United, has highlighted ongoing concerns among fans about the disconnect between players and the traditional values of the club.

Lisandro Martinez has played 63 games for the Red Devils, scoring one goal, and has won two titles with the club.

Today, it’s virtually impossible to find an elite athlete who stays out of the social media spotlight. Many choose to use these platforms to stay connected with their followers, sharing updates and insights into their lives and careers.

Of course, this new era isn’t without its challenges, and the dangers are ever-present. Cybercriminals are also lurking on these platforms, often taking advantage of circumstances to make unexpected appearances and exploit vulnerabilities.

Lionel Messi, perhaps one of the most iconic figures in sports history, was recently the target of mockery after the Instagram account of one of his Argentine national team teammates was hacked.

The image posted shows Lionel Messi receiving the Ballon d’Or, with his head covered by a hood, accompanied by the caption: “Sorry that my account was stolen.”

Who was the affected player?

It turns out that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez fell victim to a cyber hack, with his compromised account being used to mock Lionel Messi.

The player, who recently won the Copa América 2024 with the Argentina national team and is currently in pre-season with Manchester United, has since regained control of his account and stated: “I recovered my Instagram account. Everything is under control now.”

When discussing Argentine central defenders, it’s impossible not to mention Lisandro Martinez. He has consistently been one of the top central defenders in his country, alongside Cuti Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, for quite some time. At his current club, Manchester United, he undeniably stands out as one of the main stars.

While he may not always start, he was part of the championship-winning squad for his country in the recent Qatar 2022 World Cup. He consistently served as a reliable alternative to the aforementioned Romero and Otamendi. Considering that the latter is currently 35 years old, many believe that “Licha” could potentially become his successor.

Why Lisandro Martinez will not play for Argentina?

The Argentine player had undergone surgery for a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot in mid-April, which kept him sidelined for three months. Manchester United announced that the player has experienced a “worsening” of the injury in his right foot.

As a result, Lisandro Martinez will be initially sidelined for an indefinite period, and it is anticipated that the Argentine won’t be able to return to play until at least next year, and for that reason, he will miss his national team’s games against Paraguay and Peru.

Sevilla scored two goals in the final minutes to rescue a 2-2 tie which leaves the Spanish club in a great position towards the second game at home. That’s just a truly unexpected scenario considering Manchester United’s dominance for most of the match.

Furthermore, LisandroMartinez suffered a foot injury and is out for the rest of the season. After processing the tough news, the star from Argentina sent a heartfelt message to all the fans. It’s a really tough blow for one of the champions in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Lisandro Martinez reacts toinjury update with Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez is out for the remainder of the season with Manchester United after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot. The defender will be unable to help the team during the final stretch of the campaign.

However, there are some good news for Lisandro Martinez. According to the official medical report from Manchester United, the star player from Argentina will be ready for the start ofthe 2023-2024 season.

This was Lisandro’s Martinez message for the fans. “Not the way I imagined what’s been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them. I know that I’ll be back soon to go for more. In the meantime, I’ll continue to support my teammates to achieve our objectives. The messages andsupport I’ve received has been amazing. They’re giving me strength and encouragement. Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Lionel Messi will once again lead the team on the field with the captain’s armband, aiming to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy for the first time in his brilliant career. It doesn’t look easy, but an entire nation seems to be optimistic.

There was a chance the Manchester United defender would be included in the starting eleven, but Scaloni ultimately went with a more offensive lineup. Therefore, Martinez will once again be a substitute.

Why is Lisandro Martinez not starting against France

Lisandro Martinez is not starting against France because Scaloni decided to continue with four at the back, with Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi ascenter-backs. Martinez could have played in a five-man defense, but Scaloni preferred to start Angel Di Maria and continue with four defenders.

Needless to say, Martinez can come on at some point depending on the circumstances. If Argentina are leading in the second half, we can expect the defender to see the field in this World Cup final.

Martinez has enjoyed some minutes during the tournament, appearing in the starting eleven against Mexico. However, he has also played against Poland and was one of the surprises in the starting eleven against the Netherlands.

The match against Croatia is expected to be one of the most difficult for Argentina, as the Europeans are one of the most solid teams in the back, and had one of the best midfielders with Luka Modric.

Qatar 2022: Why is Lisandro Martinez not playing against Croatia?

Martinez will be back on the bench against Croatia, after being in the starting team against Netherlands. However, Lionel Scaloni has got back to the line of four in the back, with Cuti Romero in his usual place.

Martinez has been a good resource for Scaloni, and his minutes have been good for the team, especially against Mexico and the Netherlands. However, Romero has been the first choice for the coach since the beginning, despite that.

For the game against Croatia, Scaloni chose: Dibu Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.

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Lionel Scaloni, who got the national team back on its feet since taking over after Russia 2018, has selected 26 players for the tournament but made two last-minute changes, with Angel Correa and Thiago Almada making the list on short notice.

However, the squad has names that were part of Scaloni’s tenure in the last four years, and so does the starting lineup. In fact, Martinez’s impressive level at Manchester United wasn’t enough for the manager to make changes at the back.

Nicolas Otamendi chosen overLisandro Martinez in Argentina

Lisandro Martinez will be on the bench against Saudi Arabia because Scaloni has preferred to start Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, who have started in most games of the 2021 Copa America and the Conmebol qualifiers.

Argentina lineup vs. Saudi Arabia:Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Papu Gomez, Messi, Lautaro, Di Maria.

How far do you think Argentina will go?Using this World Cup Predictor, you can see every potential outcome of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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