May 26th 2024.
The exhilarating FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City saw two young players, Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo, make their mark in the game. The two teenagers, along with Alejandro Garnacho, were instrumental in United's victory and Martinez is determined to keep their heads from getting too big.
As a 19-year-old, Martinez understands the pressure and temptations that come with success at a young age. In an interview with Sony Sports Network after the game, he acknowledged the impressive performance of his fellow young stars and emphasized the importance of guiding them through this newfound fame.
"We need to show them the way, how to handle this kind of attention," Martinez said. "It's not easy for them at their age, so we need to teach them how to handle it with grace and humility. It's important for them to celebrate, but with control."
During the game, Martinez had to intervene when Garnacho attempted to kiss the United badge in front of the City fans after scoring the opening goal. He stopped his compatriot from provoking the opposing fans and reminded him to stay level-headed.
Now, with the FA Cup win under their belt, Martinez believes United can use it as a stepping stone for next season. "The door is open for us now," he said. "We need to learn from this season and believe in ourselves. Football is a mental game, it's all about emotion. We need to continue to dream big and move forward."
However, for Martinez, the win came at a personal cost. After a season riddled with injuries, he could only manage to play for 73 minutes before being replaced by Jonny Evans due to cramps. "It was a really tough season for me," he shared. "I've never been injured before, and this season it felt like I was constantly dealing with one injury after another. But now I feel mentally and physically strong, and it's a great way to end the season."
Despite his own struggles, Martinez was proud of his team's efforts and praised his teammates for their support. "I felt cramps in my legs, and I was disappointed that I couldn't finish the game," he said. "But I knew my teammates were there to pick me up, and they gave everything they had."
As for what's next for United, Martinez believes they should use this win as motivation for the future. "We need to keep pushing and believing," he said. "This win is a great start, and we need to continue to work hard and aim for bigger things in the future."
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