Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez has had his say on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi GOAT debate by choosing between the pair as his best teammate.
At club level, Martinez has endured a tough start to the season. United currently sit 14th in the Premier League and he was even dropped from the starting XI for United’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on October 6.
However, his fortunes on the international stage couldn't be further from his troubles at United.
Martinez was part of the Argentina squad that won both the 2022 World Cup and then followed that up with a triumph in the 2024 edition of the Copa America.
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Martinez has a close connection to Messi having shared a dressing room with the Inter Miami star and has also tasted success alongside him but United fans will recall the fact Martinez also played alongside Ronaldo for a brief period.
The pair lined up together 16 times for United before Ronaldo left for Al Nassr in November 2022.
But Martinez opted for Messi when it came to deciding the best player he played alongside, with his United teammates Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Amad Diallo also taking part.
“[The] best player I’ve played with, I would say Lionel Messi,” Martinez told JD Football.
“Why? Because he’s the best player in the history of football and I’m playing with him in the national team.
“I saw things that I have never saw in another player…I think it’s [he’s] the best player.”
Martinez’s selection seems fair based on his relationship with Messi but Ronaldo clearly has respect for the defender.
In his infamous interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored following his United departure, Ronaldo named Martinez as one of the players he admired.
"In Manchester United, I can mention [Diogo] Dalot,” Ronaldo said.
“He's young, but very professional, but I don't doubt that he's going to have longevity in football because he's young, he's smart, intelligent, and he's very professional.
“Probably [Lisandro] Martinez. Casemiro is in his 30s, but I will say Dalot."
For most Argentinian footballers, Messi is a living legend and continues to lead by example on and off the pitch at the age of 37.
During the country’s Copa America triumph earlier this year, Martinez explained how he thought the tournament might not be Messi’s last despite media speculation.
"He's very calm, more than anything he's enjoying the day-to-day,” Martinez explained.
"When one is here, one is very happy. We feel at home, which is important. We don't see it [as his last tournament with Argentina.]
“We see him happy, and with an impressive level. That's what I can tell you,” he added.
Topics: Manchester United, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lisandro Martinez
Luke Davies