”We’d give 100% for him” – Lisandro Martinez opens up on Messi’s leadership after semifinal triumph

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In the euphoric aftermath of Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England, defender Lisandro Martínez has offered a deeply personal tribute to the man who made it all possible: Lionel Messi.

Speaking to Argentine media in the mixed zone, the Manchester United centre-back—who had been the subject of pre-match ridicule from English pundits alongside his defensive partner Cristian Romero—set aside the external noise to focus on what truly drives this Argentina squad: the example set by their captain.

“Messi is our leader, and when you see your leader doing what he does, and fighting as he fights, and running as he runs, all that’s left for us is to give 100% for him,” Martínez said, his voice thick with emotion. “That’s why we’re so proud to share all these moments with him. It’s not just about his talent—we all know he’s the greatest. It’s about his hunger. At 39 years old, he’s still chasing every ball, still pressing defenders, still tracking back. When the best player in history does that, how can any of us do less?”

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A Captain Who Leads by Example

Martínez’s words came just hours after Messi delivered one of the great individual performances of his storied career—not by scoring, but by orchestrating a comeback that will be remembered for generations. Trailing 1-0 with just over 15 minutes remaining, Messi produced two moments of supernatural quality: first, a perfectly weighted left-footed cross for Enzo Fernández’s equaliser; then, a right-footed through-ball of surgical precision that sent Lautaro Martínez through on goal for the 86th-minute winner.

But for those who watched closely, Messi’s contribution extended far beyond those two assists. He covered more ground than in any previous match this tournament, dropping deep to receive possession, tracking back to help his full-backs, and pressing England’s defenders with an intensity that belied his age. It was, as Zlatan Ibrahimović put it, a performance that showcased both the “Left Foot of God” and the “Right Foot of God”—but also the lungs and legs of a man who refuses to accept anything less than victory.

“People talk about his goals and his assists, and yes, they are extraordinary,” Martínez continued. “But what we see every day in training, what we see in the dressing room, is his work ethic. He’s the first to arrive and the last to leave. He’s the one who lifts us when we’re down. Against England, when we conceded early in the second half, we looked at each other and thought, ‘It’s okay—Leo is here.’ And he proved us right.”

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Turning Criticism into Fuel

Martínez’s tribute also carried a subtle rebuttal to the English pundits—including Gary Neville and Michael Owen—who had dismissed Argentina’s center-back pairing and predicted an easy England victory. The Manchester United defender, who had been called “reckless” and “error-prone” in the buildup, produced a composed and gritty display alongside Romero, limiting Harry Kane to zero touches inside Argentina’s penalty area.

“We knew there was a lot of noise before the game,” Martínez said. “People said we weren’t good enough, that we would be exposed. But we don’t listen to that. We listen to Leo. He told us to stay calm, to trust our system, and to keep believing. When he speaks, everyone listens—not because he’s the captain, but because he’s earned that respect through everything he’s done for this shirt.”

The defender admitted that the pre-match criticism had stung, but it had also galvanised the squad. “We played with a bit more anger, yes,” he acknowledged, echoing Romero’s earlier comments. “But that anger was channelled into focus. We wanted to show that we are not just a team with Messi—we are a team that fights for Messi. And when we fight like that, we are very difficult to beat.”

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A Bond Forged in Victory and Defeat

Martínez, who joined Messi in the Argentina squad for the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, spoke of the deep bond that has formed between the veteran captain and the younger generation of players. He recalled the emotional scenes after the 2022 final, when Messi finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him for so long—and how that moment had changed the team’s mentality forever.

“Since Qatar, we have carried that joy with us,” Martínez said. “But we’ve also carried the responsibility. Leo has given us so much—his time, his wisdom, his leadership. He could have retired after winning everything, but he stayed because he loves this team and this country. The least we can do is run for him, fight for him, and win for him.”

The defender also paid tribute to the team’s veterans—Ángel Di María, Nicolás Otamendi, and Marcos Acuña—who have formed a core of experience around Messi. “It’s not just Leo,” Martínez added. “It’s the whole group. We have players who have been through everything together. That unity is our strength. When you see the older guys giving everything, the younger ones follow. That’s how a family works.”

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Looking Ahead to the Final

With Spain now standing between Argentina and a second consecutive World Cup title, Martínez insisted that the job is far from finished—but he expressed confidence that the team’s spirit will carry them through.

“We’ve reached another final, and that’s incredible,” he said. “But we didn’t come here just to reach the final. We came here to win it. And we know that if we give 100%—if we run like Leo runs, if we fight like Leo fights—we have a very good chance.”

As for his own performance, Martínez deflected praise back to his captain. “I’m just happy to be part of this journey,” he said. “To share the pitch with Messi, to learn from him every day, to be by his side when he lifts trophies—that’s something I will tell my grandchildren about. We are proud, so proud, to be his teammates. And we will keep giving everything for him until the final whistle of the last game.”

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Messi’s Response

When later asked about Martínez’s comments, Messi smiled and offered a characteristically humble reply. “Lisandro is a warrior,” he said. “He and Cuti [Romero] have been immense for us. The praise should go to them—they are the ones who make my job easier. I just try to help the team any way I can. But when I hear words like that from my teammates, it makes me want to keep going. We are in this together.”

As Argentina prepare for Sunday’s final against Spain, one thing is clear: the admiration between Messi and his teammates is not just professional—it is deeply personal. And for Lisandro Martínez, that bond is worth more than any trophy.

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