Lisandro Martinez played five times at the 2022 World Cup (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Lisandro Martinez has returned to Manchester United following his 2022 World Cup triumph with Argentina.
However, he did so at the expensive of missing international teammate and his close friend Nicolas Tagliafico’s wedding back in his homeland.
The Lyon left-back married Caroline Calvagni in 2021 but postponed the wedding reception to their one-year anniversary due to COVID-19.
Martinez was back in Manchester for Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest but was ruled out from playing having only just returned from the wild celebrations in Buenos Aires following Argentina’s third World Cup victory.
The 24-year-old centre-back played five times in Qatar, helping to end his country’s 36-year wait for the greatest prize in world football.
He is only the fifth United player in history to win the World Cup while at Old Trafford, following France’s Paul Pogba in 2018 and three of England’s 1966 heroes, namely Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and John Connelly.
But in spite of this great achievement, Erik ten Hag reminded his player of his duties at United last week, saying: ‘Lisandro Martinez has to accept that on the 27th [December] the Premier League will go on.
‘He has been celebrating in Buenos Aires and I can understand that. It’s the highest you can achieve.’
Martinez’s return could not have come at a better time for the Red Devils given their current shortage of fit centre-back options, with fellow World Cup finalist Raphael Varane only just returning from Qatar himself.
The squad has been hit with an illness bug that ruled out Victor Lindelof and reduced Harry Maguire to a 15 minute cameo off the bench against Forest, with Luke Shaw starting at centre-back.
United have a quick turnaround before their next Premier League clash, with a trip to Wolves up next on New Year’s Eve.
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World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
The World Cup winner is back in Manchester.
