Martinez Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles During Injury Recovery

Lisandro Martinez, the central defender for Manchester United, has bravely shared his struggles with mental health during a challenging year of rehabilitation. In a candid interview with AFA Estudio, the 27-year-old—affectionately nicknamed “The Butcher” for his tenacious playing style—opened up about the persistent battle to rediscover his motivation to return to the pitch after a serious injury.

Martinez’s revelations come on the heels of a tumultuous period regarding his fitness. He recently made his return to the field at the end of November after being sidelined for nine months due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in February. For a player known for his physicality and intensity, the lengthy and isolating road to recovery pushed him to his limits.

“You feel like you’re no longer a football player,” Martinez explained, reflecting on the initial aftermath of his diagnosis. “You experience pain and fear that you may never play again. It creates a mental and physical imbalance that, honestly, I still struggle to comprehend today.”

The World Cup winner admitted that the thought of retiring crossed his mind early in his rehabilitation. “In the first few weeks, to be honest, I didn’t want to continue playing football,” he confessed. “However, as time passed, I became more aware of my surroundings and received crucial support.”

This ACL injury was just the latest in a series of setbacks for Martinez since joining Manchester United in July 2022. Prior to the knee injury, he suffered a fractured metatarsal during a Europa League match against Sevilla in April 2023, requiring two surgeries and resulting in a total of 180 days out of action, significantly hindering his adjustment to life at Old Trafford.

The timing of these injuries has been especially poignant, forcing Martinez to watch from the sidelines as his teammates participated in major finals. Notably, he missed the 2023 FA Cup final loss to Manchester City, a defeat that deeply affected the United fanbase, and was also absent during the Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur in May due to his knee injury.

Martinez attributes his successful return to a combination of professional psychological support and a reconnection with his core values. Acknowledging that quitting would have been the “easy way out,” he sought guidance to bolster both his mental resilience and physical strength.

“You must avoid taking the easy way out. It’s tempting to just give up,” he reflected. “But I firmly believe that true character is revealed in the face of adversity. I reconnected with myself, my roots, and my values, committing fully to my recovery, day after day.”

He described his rehabilitation not merely as a medical process but as a daily battle. “For me, it was about taking it day by day, with my primary fight occurring every day in the gym,” he noted, emphasizing the critical role of therapy in his recovery journey. “I leaned on my family and friends during this difficult time.”

Now fully fit and “feeling excellent,” Martinez is eager to compensate for lost time. He made an emotional return in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park—the same team against which he suffered his injury—symbolically closing the chapter on his challenging nine months.

“With each passing month, I could see the improvements and how much stronger I was becoming,” he expressed with a smile. “Today, I feel fantastic on the pitch, and I attribute that to the days of struggle and resilience that have led to this moment.”

Despite the interruptions, Martinez has made 101 appearances and scored three goals for Manchester United, remaining a crucial figure at the club. His return is a significant boost for new head coach Michael Carrick, who has taken charge during a demanding season.

Martinez is anticipated to play a vital role this Saturday when United hosts their fierce rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. With his “constant struggle” now behind him, fans will be hopeful that their defensive stalwart can channel his renewed strength into thwarting the reigning champions.