Like many South American players, Lisandro Martinez’s starting point is very modest. He had to struggle to earn money to live through the day but did not expect to pursue his dream of becoming a player. But then with the airport fighting spirit, he successfully overcame difficulties to get the glory like today, when he went on the field as the world champion.
Lisandro Martinez was born and raised in a large and needy family in Gualeguay, a poor province of Argentina. As Martinez once told, the land he lives in is a “forgotten place”, with theft, robbery, gangs paying each other like a meal. Many of Martinez’s peers have embarked on a path of crime with no exit.
There are only a few people who can stay away from the trap like you. And as Martinez once shared, it was football that helped him overcome temptation. “My house is full of children. At that time we only had enough to eat at lunch. In the afternoon, the food is only cake. But I’m still very happy. I have a passion for football. At that time, I had sincere friends, and it really helped me stay out of the trap. To this day, I still keep in touch with some of the people with whom we won the Entre Rios,” the 2022 World Cup champion recounts of his austere childhood.
But back then, football was simply fun. It can’t help Martinez fill his hungry stomach, can’t help him help his parents find meals for the day and feed the children. That harsh reality made 12-year-old Lisandro Martinez seem distracted from practice. Instead of spending the whole day at the local football class, he applied for a job as a helper for the family.
Lisandro Martinez’s father also appeared to be very supportive of his son on the outside, but inside he was very sad. Because he wanted Lisandro to really devote himself to football to change his life. Being a man of deep insight, on this occasion he taught his boy a lesson.
Every day, Lisandro Martinez’s father, Raul Martinez, wakes him up very early. Both of them went to the construction site. There, Lisandro was assigned heavy work by Mr. Raul, from carrying mortar, working as a mason’s assistant, to working hard like an adult for many hours.
To get where she is today, Lisandro Martinez must be very grateful to her parents
Witnessing Lisandro’s thin and small figure in the middle of the construction site, and having to carry heavy loads, many people have intended to blame the father. “Why did you let the boy do the heavy lifting?”, “Why don’t you give him a hand, he’s falling down now?”… In response, Mr. Raul just laughed.
After a week like that, he called Lisandro back and asked: “So how do you feel about doing this job. Do you want to suffer like this for the rest of your life?” The message from his father awakened Lisandro, and it followed him forever. It also contributed to shaping the fighting nature of one of the most talented central defenders in the contemporary football world.
With all determination, Lisandro returned to practice football. Every time he plays, he reminds himself of his father’s message. “If I don’t succeed in sports, my future will be like my father’s. I don’t forget that day anymore,” Lisandro Martinez recounted sadly.
But because the family was too difficult, while the potential of the local team was limited, at the age of 14, Lisandro Martinez had to leave the family. He came to Newell’s Old Boys’ furnace with many ambitions. And as this player confided, it is also a way for his family to reduce suffering when he can cut one mouth to eat.
“There, you have to do everything yourself. At home, mom and dad did everything for me. And here, suddenly I have to take responsibility and be careful with the smallest items like my shoes and clothes. But I’m still very happy when I leave the house to help my parents have more conditions to take care of the children,” he said.
“Coming to Newell’s, I knew I was going to be a footballer, and I had to become a footballer. When I saw the team’s football field, I was reminded again and again that one day I must be on the field.”
Under pressure to mature earlier than her age, under pressure to compete for a place in the team, but with a trained fighting spirit, Lisandro never gave up. He proves to the coaches about his determination, blood and, of course, his talent. The small figure was compensated by Lisandro with the impressive jumping ability. Therefore, in the phase of the ball with an opponent taller than a head, this player still does not show fear.
Lisandro Martinez’s path to the top was formed from there. In 2017, at the age of 19, he was promoted to the first team of Newell’s, earning the first big money to send back to his family. Only 2 years later, he caught the eye of European scouts. Lisandro Martinez boarded the transatlantic train to dock at Ajax Amsterdam, opening a new horizon
And now, it has all become history. The 24-year-old’s stormy journey was recognized by his signing to Manchester United, where he became one of the top two options at centre-back. Of course with a big team like Man United, they always know how to treat their star.
Martinez receives a salary of up to 150,000 USD/week, more than 7 million USD per year. That is a number that perhaps when he was a child, or when he started pursuing professional football, this player did not dare to dream.
Having this day, Lisandro Martinez is always grateful to her family who sacrificed for her. So as soon as he earned the first money, he returned to his parents. Thanks to the capital from his son, Martinez’s father no longer has to do the same jobs as before. He opened a construction shop and lived comfortably with his wife. Meanwhile, Lisandro’s brothers and sisters also have financial conditions to pursue their dreams.
Of course, Lisandro Martinez also rewards her own efforts. The 24-year-old bought a mansion in Rosario, Argentina. This mansion costs 1.5 million USD with an area of up to 1,650 square meters. With a light-filled design, the mansion helps Lisandro Martinez enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, immersing in nature when visiting her hometown.
Lisandro loves nature so much that around his house is a diverse vegetation, on each balcony he also grows many precious plants. “It’s more of a garden than a house. Because the house is nestled in the middle of a green color,” his neighbor described.
Like many other upper-class families, Lisandro Martinez also designed a luxurious swimming pool, besides a barbecue and entertainment area. Here, he and his girlfriend often hold gratitude parties for friends and relatives. “They review the difficult days together. Martinez does not forget who has accompanied him since he was a teenager. He still remembers us even though we have not seen each other for decades,” a friend of Lisandro Martinez shared.
During his time in England, Lisandro almost left this modern 7-bedroom, 4-bathroom property to his parents to look after. This is also an opportunity for Raul’s grandparents to experience a luxurious life and make up for the difficult days. They don’t have to do anything, just enjoy because there is a logistics team to take care of all the services in the house.
Perhaps with a family with a humble starting point like Martinez’s, they are living dream-like days. But the 24-year-old midfielder is not dreaming at all. He always maintains a high level of combat, is strict with himself and careful in every decision. Perhaps that is why for the past half year, he and his girlfriend have not decided to live long in Manchester. Instead of buying a large mansion, now they are still “temporary” in a hotel…
