The man Martinez is hoping to emulate

The then-Nantes forward latched on to Maradona's brilliant through ball to earn a 3-2 victory over West Germany that clinched a second world title for the South Americans, and earned 'Burru' a rare standing in the game as somebody who has achieved such a feat in the showpiece occasion.

"I gave Maradona a shout," he later recalled, of the classic moment at the Azteca Stadium. "I shouted at him that I am going alone, that they were playing for the offside, and that there was a space. Diego was capable of that, because he hadn't heard me, and, having his back to me, he turned and passed the ball right in front of me. The keeper was far away because I had started running from the centre of the pitch.

"And then comes the most exciting part. I saw the ball was going in as I raced to the right side. Perhaps the most divine moment that I've lived was returning with Jorge Valdano to the midfield, with Jorge embracing me, looking into my eyes and saying: 'Now, yes, we're champions of the world.' And then the tears fell from my eyes."

Burruchaga will be well known to our very own Lisandro Martinez, bidding to emulate the success of the 1978 and 1986 sides this time around, and not merely because of his history in the competition. 

For both footballers hail from the same city, Gualeguay, with Licha striving to attain the same legendary status as the 60-year-old, who has also had a lengthy coaching career after retiring in 1998, the same year Martinez was born.

Our no.6 was very emotional after Argentina squeezed past the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals and is understandably proud of his roots.

When helping the Albiceleste win the Copa America last year, he declared: "We 'Gualeyos' make history!"

This is because there is another name to add to the mix - Ramon Medina Bello, who was part of the 1994 World Cup squad but also the side that won the 1991 and 1993 Copa America titles.

A third international footballer who was born in the city, the striker had two spells with River Plate and also spent some of his career in Japan, with Yokohama F. Marinos.

Martinez is now following in their footsteps and realising a boyhood dream.

"I know every player will say that to play at a World Cup is a dream but I have been dreaming [of this moment] since I was a child," he said recently. "When I was given my first Argentina jersey, I used to imagine, when I was playing on the street, that I was at the World Cup.

"Now it is happening, I want to make my family and the fans proud."

As Martinez is the only player from the Entre Rios area in coach Lionel Scaloni's squad, the whole region is getting behind him, with Argentina preparing to face Croatia on Tuesday night. Some fans have travelled from Gualeguay to Qatar with a flag depicting all three of their favourite sons, with the South Americans enjoying the most sizeable, passionate and ardent support at the tournament.

While there is great pride from his homeland in his quest for glory, rest assured everybody at United will also be hoping our no-nonsense defender is able to perform on the biggest stage of all, come Sunday afternoon at the Lusail Stadium.

Best of luck, Licha!