Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez revealed he nearly quit football after his torn ACL in February 2025. The 2022 World Cup winner said the pain and a prior foot fracture left him feeling broken. "I didn't want to play football anymore," he told AFA Estudio, describing the lowest point of his 10-month recovery.

Martínez, 27, had battled injuries before, making just 11 Premier League appearances the previous season. The ACL surgery forced him to "reinvent" himself physically and mentally. He admitted fearing he'd never regain his form, a common struggle for elite athletes facing major setbacks. The psychological toll was immense.

The turning point was the birth of his daughter. "She was my engine every day," Martínez said, crediting her and his inner circle for his perseverance. He returned to action in November 2025 and is now back in the Manchester United lineup, training with Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup.