Lisandro Martinez delivers verdict after playing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Lisandro Martinez has admitted he feels “privileged” to have played with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he delivered his verdict on the two superstars.
The Manchester United defender has played with Messi for Argentina and is currently Ronaldo’s team-mate at the Red Devils. The 24-year-old made the big-money move to United from Ajax in the summer, having established himself as one of the most promising ball-progressive centre-backs in European football.
He decided to team-up with former boss Erik ten Hag and it is safe to say Martinez stepped into a pretty experienced dressing room, with Ronaldo amongst the high-profile names. However, the Argentine is no doubt used to that pressure, having shared a changing room with Messi at international level.
After a disappointing start to the campaign, Martinez has become a fans’ favourite at the Red Devils and is arguably their most important defender at the moment. Having now played with both Ronaldo and Messi, there is no doubt he can and has learned from some of the best in the game already.
In an interview with ESPN Argentina, Martinez spoke about playing with both and said: “I feel privileged, it is an honour to share with them. You learn, you absorb. They have won everything, they want more, an admirable mentality and you give your best in every workout.
“From the first day, Cristiano treated me well. He is very friendly, he has a very nice charisma, bringing smiles, making people laugh.
“He is very professional, he arrives early, he is the last to leave and he takes care of himself at meals. It all highlights why he has had such an impressive career.”
Another player who has also played with both Ronaldo and Messi is Alejandro Garnacho, after the youngster made his first United start in their 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday evening. The 18-year-old impressed throughout and Ten Hag praised the player for the improvement he has made over the past couple of weeks.
Martinez has also been impressed with compatriot Garnacho and believes he has a bright future in the game. The United academy graduate has broken through the youth set-up at the club and is one of the most coveted teenagers in world football.
Martinez added: “He has enormous talent and a bright future. It all depends on him, on what he works for, but he’s young, he has to keep learning, at his age he’s in a team that isn’t easy [to get into].
“I tell him he has to take advantage of the moment, listen, ask for advice, do extra training. He has no ceiling. He will give Manchester United and the national team a lot.”
