Lisandro Martínez

Lisandro Martínez (born 18 January 1998) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or midfielder for Ajax and the Argentina national team.

Club career
Martínez had youth spells with Club Urquiza (Gualeguay, Entre Rios), Club Libertad (Gualeguay, Entre Rios) and Newell's Old Boys. He made his professional debut for Newell's in the club's final fixture of the 2016–17 season, he played the full match in a loss to Godoy Cruz. In August 2017, Martínez joined fellow Argentine Primera División side Defensa y Justicia on loan. His first appearance for Defensa arrived on 13 October in a defeat against San Lorenzo. Two appearances later, he scored his first senior goal in an away win versus Temperley. Defensa y Justicia signed Martínez permanently in June 2018.

On 17 May 2019, Defensa y Justicia announced that a deal had been agreed with Eredivisie team Ajax; subject to the passing of a medical. Ajax announced the completion of the medical on 20 May, with the transfer to go through on 1 July. He penned a four-year contract, with the option of a further year. He didn't officially join until July, though did feature in June friendlies with Quick '20 and AaB. His competitive bow came in the 2019 Johan Cruyff Shield against PSV Eindhoven, as Ajax won the trophy following a two-goal victory. He was voted man of the match in his second Eredivisie game; in a win over FC Emmen.

Martínez netted his first Ajax goal on 28 September, as he opened the scoring in a 2–0 victory over FC Groningen at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

International career
Martínez won four caps for the Argentina U20s at the 2017 South American Youth Football Championship in Ecuador. The first came during the first stage against Venezuela, while the other three arrived during the final stage as Argentina finished 4th and subsequently qualified for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. He received a call-up for the U-20 World Cup but failed to make an appearance, appearing on the substitutes bench once versus Guinea. In March 2019, Martínez received his first call-up to the senior team. He won his opening cap as they lost in Madrid to Venezuela on 22 March.

Martínez was selected for Fernando Batista's U23s in September 2019, ahead of an exhibition encounter with Bolivia.

Career statistics

Club
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International
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Honours
Ajax
Johan Cruyff Shield: 2019

References

External links

Category:1998 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Entre Ríos Province
Category:Argentine footballers
Category:Argentina international footballers
Category:Argentina youth international footballers
Category:Argentina under-20 international footballers
Category:Association football defenders
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Argentine expatriate footballers
Category:Expatriate footballers in the Netherlands
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Argentine Primera División players
Category:Eredivisie players
Category:Newell's Old Boys footballers
Category:Defensa y Justicia footballers
Category:AFC Ajax players