Lisandro Martinez explains the ‘butcher’ nickname
Argentine defender, Lisandro Martinez was nicknamed ‘The Butcher’ by his Ajax teammates. The 5’9 center-back has been exceptional for Manchester United who brought him from Ajax after Erikten Hag desired to bring him along.
During his young days, Martinez played at hometown clubs Urquiza and Atletico Libertad in the city of Gualeguay. As South Americans love to do, he was handed the number 10 shirt as he was a natural playmaker.
Words from Martinez
He said, “I don’t know why at Ajax they called me ‘The Butcher’, I don’t even remember who gave me the nickname. It must be because I’m aggressive in the way I play my game. I did once make a vacuum (a cut of Argentine beef) in my house, so in one way the nickname suits me! But the truth is that I do go to each challenge like it is going to be my last one.
“Having said that, I have greatly improved the way I read the game and how to make decisions. I have also grown in the way I pass the ball. And I want to continue improving absolutely everything. There is no limit for me. But if I want to go higher, I have to work for it – and that will always be the reality.”
Martinez became a fan favorite when he got the better of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. This was prior to the incident where the Argentinian pushed Salah away from the ball, sending a strong message that he is here to stay.
Martinez was out suspended for the match against Barcelona in the Europa league but he will be back before the game against Leicester.
Early rejections and time spent in Amsterdam
Martinez said: “I really suffered with the intensity with which they play in Ajax. It really is incredible – as well as the reading of the game that everyone has. I suffered a lot at first, so much that I wanted to cry.
“But at the same time, I knew that I was going to adapt, that it is normal to struggle when you pass from one team to another. But you discover at a very young age what you are ready to put up with to become a footballer.
“I lived in a boarding house when I joined Newell’s and I learned during my time there that you have to fix things yourself when they are broken. I was very close to my parents, who did everything for me, but suddenly I had to take responsibility.
“Making friends was the most beautiful thing. We learned to defend each other because we are a family – and that is incredible. Already as a boy, you have the maturity of a 20 or 22-year-old.”
Humble roots
Martinez is grateful for his parents Silvina Cabrera and Raul, who instilled humbleness in him from a young age. Now 24, Martinez is still connected to his childhood friends and teammates. Apart from that, he is well respected in Argentina for standing up for charitable purposes.
Martinez continued, “I am on the side of the people who really need things. When something annoys me, even just a little, I don’t let it go and I try to send at least a message of support.
“It is not my thing to get into politics. I’m not interested in that and people get confused by it. I just want to help people. We are all human beings and we all have the right to have an opinion.”
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