Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo may have caught some attention, but it’s Lisandro Martinez who has received effusive praise from Pep Guardiola after the FA Cup final on May 25th.

“Lisandro Martinez is among the top 5 central defenders in the world. He made a difference in the game with his pinpoint passes that tore through our defense,” Pep Guardiola exclaimed after Manchester City’s 1-2 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

When a coach like Guardiola heaps such praise on a player, it signifies someone truly special. But is Lisandro Martinez truly that good? Is he really among the top 5 central defenders in the world?

First, fans need to understand the definition of a “top central defender in the world.” Such a player must be excellent, possessing numerous prestigious titles at both club and international levels. They should have enough talent and qualities to perform consistently at all the top clubs worldwide.

For Lisandro Martinez, he has won the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the Copa America 2021 with the Argentine national team. In his club career, the Argentine defender has triumphed in the Dutch Eredivisie, as well as successfully conquered the League Cup and FA Cup.

With such accolades, does that make Lisandro Martinez one of the top central defenders in the world? The answer is not straightforward.

Despite winning the most prestigious title, the World Cup, Lisandro Martinez played a secondary role in the tournament held in Qatar. “La Albiceleste” achieved their success primarily due to the extraordinary efforts of Lionel Messi and the attacking players.

Similarly, Martinez’s presence at Manchester United hasn’t dramatically elevated the team’s defensive quality. While not all blame can be placed on the former Ajax defender, observers tend to focus on what’s most visible rather than analyzing intricacies.

As for whether Lisandro Martinez deserves to be considered among the top 5 central defenders globally, the answer depends on individual opinions. However, one thing is certain: the Argentine star delivered an excellent performance against Manchester City at Wembley. He became a crucial factor in leading his team to victory.

Pep was right in saying that Lisandro Martinez made a difference for Manchester United. The Argentine defender is talented and aggressive, but it’s his ability on the ball that makes him an indispensable piece in the “Red Devils'” playing style.

Before Pep Guardiola, West Ham manager David Moyes admitted that Lisandro Martinez helped Manchester United have “more composure” when in possession.

“At Manchester United, they play better with Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez. They make a huge difference to the team. Casemiro is present in every critical moment, appearing at the right time. Martinez helps Manchester United be more composed when in possession,” the Scottish coach shared after a 0-3 loss on April 2nd.

At Wembley on May 25th, Lisandro Martinez displayed his best qualities. A skilled ball-playing defender, he boasted an impressive 90% pass accuracy rate. He made 5 interceptions and 1 crucial block. From the start, the former Ajax defender showed his strength in a duel with Erling Haaland. With a slight push, Lisandro Martinez prevented the Manchester City forward from taking a shot. Throughout the 73-minute match, the 26-year-old Argentine contributed to containing Haaland with his tenacity and resolute defending.

As Pep stated, Lisandro Martinez can unleash passes to launch attacks behind the opposition’s defense. This tactic demonstrated its effectiveness, and if Marcus Rashford had been sharper, Manchester United could have scored from the defensive setup.

In his second year at Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez faced challenges. He suffered three serious injuries, leading to 138 days sidelined and missing 36 matches. This significantly impacted the “Red Devils'” performance, causing them to fall out of the Champions League race.

However, Lisandro Martinez returned just when Manchester United needed him most: in the FA Cup final. At Wembley, his performance over more than 73 minutes was summed up by Pep’s assessment. It was a well-deserved acknowledgment of what the player had demonstrated.