In a lively and conciliatory moment, Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martínez and CBS Sports pundit Jamie Carragher seemingly called a truce, burying the hatchet over past comments regarding the defender’s stature and his potential to succeed in the Premier League.
The exchange followed Manchester United’s return to the UEFA Champions League on Thursday, September 10, 2026, where Martínez was among the goalscorers as Michael Carrick’s side secured a comfortable victory at Old Trafford.
Carragher’s berates Martinez
Speaking in a post-match interview with CBS Sports, Carragher not only addressed his famous initial remarks about Martínez’s height but offered a warm admission that the defender had completely proved him wrong over his four years in England, noting that the Argentine had truly grown on him.
The pundit’s initial scepticism dates back to August 2022. Following Martínez’s early matches after signing for Manchester United, Carragher questioned whether the 5 ft 9 in defender could thrive in a Premier League back four, stating on Monday Night Football:
“We should never judge managers or players too early, but I’m convinced this can’t work because of the size of him playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League,” he said.
However, years of consistently strong performances—alongside a World Cup triumph with Argentina—have thoroughly won over the former Liverpool legend. Addressing Martínez directly on air, Carragher offered his latest admission:
“Lisandro, when you first joined Manchester United, I said you were too small to succeed. Now, four years later, you have completely proven me wrong. It is fair to say you have grown on me,” Carragher admitted.
Carragher reneges on past criticism
This latest gesture follows an earlier partial U-turn in late 2022, when Carragher admitted on The Overlap that Martínez had surprised him. At the time, he stated:
“Lisandro Martínez has been brilliant. To be that small and play centre-back, you obviously have to be a special player… He has surprised me the way he’s coped. I have got no problem; I can admit when I’m wrong!”
For his part, the Argentine defender revealed that while he was aware of the criticism at the time, he chose not to dwell on it, focusing instead on perfecting his craft and giving his utmost for the club.
“Sometimes you have to take those comments and be smart,” Martínez reflected. “If you keep thinking about such criticism, it can affect you on the pitch. I tried to keep my focus and give everything for the club that trusted me and brought me here.”
