Martinez: If Messi Is still fighting at 39, we must also persevere

Following Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Lisandro Martinez spoke to the media in his post-match interview.

Lisandro Martinez said: "To be honest, I did feel that way in the first month—as if the pain wasn't easing. I had injured my foot before with a fifth metatarsal fracture, but this injury was genuinely the worst I've ever experienced. I really hit rock bottom during that period.

But then my daughter was born, which helped me regain my perspective. Seeing her come into this world and witnessing the effort my wife put in, I asked myself, 'How can I not keep going?'

There's also Messi's influence. For me, he's an exceptional role model because he's faced so much throughout his career. He's encountered setbacks but never given up. Now at 39, he's still fighting and striving. He's won everything and has nothing left to prove. He's the greatest player in history—not just in football, but across all sports, which is truly remarkable. So how can we, who came after him, not persevere? If the best in history can face everything with such passion, we must continue with the same attitude."

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