'Talking about this, I feel a lot of emotions'

The defender has previously revealed how he thinks about his family when driving to Carrington because it helps him to be grateful. He told us earlier this year: “How can I not want to go out and 'eat' the world?” With that strength, I give everything in each training session and in each game.”

Those memories of his childhood in Argentina light a fire inside of Licha and it’s fair to say his strength of character has been essential in recent months, while recovering from an injury.  

In a revealing conversation with features editor Steve Bartram, to discuss his rehabilitation and hopes for 2024, Martinez admits his mental technique has been more important than ever. As you can see below, he is stirred by it all.

“For sure, for sure, I always do that every day, it doesn't matter what time,” Licha says. “I think it is really important to remember from where you started. Wow. We are talking about this and I feel a lot of emotions. So it is really important to me.”

Asked what he thinks about, he continues: “Being grateful. You have to be grateful. Look at this place, look at the badge, look at the stadium, the people, the fans, the passion. You just have to fight for your people, you have to fight for everybody. 

“It is not just about you, it is about millions and millions of people. We need to be humble. Put the feet on the ground and go, go, and do not stop.

“No excuses and that is it.”

FAMILY MATTERS

Licha has established a reputation for resilience throughout his career so far and that ‘grinta’ is just one of the reasons why Erik ten Hag brought him from Ajax to United in 2022. 

Character is something that means a great deal to the World Cup winner and he proudly credits his family when asked how his strong personality was moulded. 

“Well, I came from a beautiful family with big values, with respect, being humble, being grateful, appreciating every second of life and I think my father, my grandfather, my mum, a lot of people. 

“From the beginning of my life, my father always said 'you can improve from everybody’. So, I fight. 'Fight for your food', he always said to me. 

“I try to fight, I try to be a good person, to share my love with the people around, to be a big example for everybody, I try to win, I try to give everything from me. I think it is really important, my family.”

INJURY NEWS

In case you missed it, Licha begins our interview by answering the big question: how is your recovery going? 

“Well, I am really good, I am really good, honestly,” explains Licha with a smile. 

“My rehab is going amazingly, in the way that I want, I am feeling strong, doing everything right with Ibra [Ibrahim Kerem] the physio, he has been amazing. And also the medical department, they take care of me from day one so it was really important. Yeah, all is perfect for me.”

Martinez and the United medical team are ensuring he feels 100 per cent before returning to competitive action.

“Definitely, we need to be patient, we need to be patient,” he says. “I know that I will be back soon, very soon. It takes time, we need to be patient.”

Watch our full interview with Lisandro Martinez for more from the United defender.