Lisandro Martínez had a career-defining performance at Old Trafford. Manchester United defeated Manchester City 2-0 in the classic for the Premier League, and the Argentine defender was one of the standout figures of the match, with a decisive display to neutralize Erling Haaland.
The performance of the world champion was not only decisive on the field, but it also gained relevance off it. Before the match, two former legends of the English club, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, had questioned the Albiceleste center-back's ability to face the Norwegian striker.
Scholes had hinted on the podcast The Good, The Bad and The Football:"I can imagine Haaland scoring and throwing the 1.75 m (5 feet 9 inches) defender into the net", while Butt used irony with another comparison:"It'll be like when you see a father after school running down the street with a small child".
After the victory, Martínez replied firmly but without hiding his stance."So, I don't care what they say. I only focus on my performance, on the team's performance, and I give everything for this club until the last day", he stated. He also clarified that those comments do not give him any special extra motivation:"They don't give me anything. My motivation is my family. Nothing else".
The Argentine had already been blunt before the classic when he was asked about the criticism:"He can say whatever he wants. I already said before that if he wants to say something to me, he can come wherever he wants, to my house, wherever. I don't care", he had pointed out.
Lisandro Martínez respondió las críticas con fútbol
One day after the match, Scholes picked up the gauntlet with irony on social media. On Instagram, next to a graphic with Martínez's statements, he wrote:"Someone has had a great game. I'm really happy for you. Tea, no sugar, please". Beyond this back-and-forth, the verbal clash was settled on the field, where Lisandro Martínez spoke through football.
