Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez left unimpressed by Kylian Mbappe comments ahead of Euros

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has hit back at Kylian Mbappe’s claim that the Euros are harder to win than the World Cup.

Speaking on the eve of the Euros, Real Madrid’s latest marquee signing offered his unique take on how the European competition fares in comparison to the World Cup. “In my opinion, it’s a more challenging competition than a World Cup,” Mbappe said.

“It’s very tough starting from group stages. It’s a competition we haven’t won for 24 years which is huge,” he added. Martinez was an unused substitute when Argentina beat Mbappe’s France 4–2 on penalties to win the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022 and the United defender has now hit back at the former PSG man’s claims.

When asked about Mbappe’s comments, Martinez told Argentinian publication Clarin: “I leave his opinion up to him; I have a different view of things, I don’t underestimate nor assume anything, all competitions are very hard to win.”

The 26-year-old will be lining up for Argentina in his second Copa America this summer and will have the responsibility of helping to defend the title his national team claimed in 2021. Argentina will be looking for their 16th Copa title to tie themselves with Uruguay as the most successful team in the world’s oldest national team tournament.

‘The Butcher,’ as he’s known in Manchester, believes staying humble is crucial to winning a tournament like the Copa America. Martinez said: “The key to this group is its humility. We know what we’ve won and how important it is, but we want to keep winning. The important thing is to stay grounded; that’s what makes us who we are. We go match by match knowing how important this team is.”

Martinez may have enjoyed a joyous end to the season with Manchester United, playing in the FA Cup final as United lifted the famous trophy after beating rivals Manchester City 2-1, however overall it was a frustrating season for the £57million man. Martinez missed an incredible 188 days of football last season as he endured injuries to his foot and he has now lifted the lid on his injury-hit campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side.

Martinez added: “It wasn’t a good season personally and as a team either. But one has to be prepared for when these things happen, these types of injuries. And you have to learn from them. I have to take it as an experience and be very strong physically and mentally. Today I feel excellent. I have to focus on what’s happening now, in the present.”

The upcoming tournament will also have a bittersweet tinge, with it being the last for Angel Di Maria, who announced his retirement from international football last season. The former United man was a goal-scoring talisman for Argentina during their trilogy of success from the Copa America in 2021 to the Finalissima 2022 and then the World Cup in 2022.

Martinez says talk of Di Maria’s departure from national affairs doesn’t dictate the dressing room as they prepare for the competition as the team is just enjoying the time they spend together and they are in all in firm agreement with the former PSG man’s ‘legend’ status.

“In the field, we don’t talk about that at all. When you’re here, you come and enjoy. We see ‘Fide’ (Di María’s nickname) very happy and we stick with that,” Martinez added.

“There’s no need to say we’re going to fight for him. We try to enjoy every second with him, in training and matches, because we know what kind of legend he is.”