By: Albert Wang

Soccer player Lisandro Martinez is only 24 and has won two Dutch titles in three years! Despite everyone calling him “too small,” he never let that get to him. He won more aerial duels in the league than Harry Maguire. Martinez’s teammate’s stats are no match to his. Martinez played in the Dutch Eredivisie, the Europe league ranked seventh by UEFA, European soccer’s governing body.

Last season Martinez played center back, but at Ajax, he played both full-back roles and a defensive midfielder. Martinez ranked higher than United’s other defenders every 90 minutes for passes, forward passes, aerial duels won, and interceptions. Even though he is seven inches shorter than Maguire and also played six fewer league games, Martinez still managed to win five more aerial duels than his teammates.

James Rowe, a Dutch football expert, says “Martinez has made quite an impression in Amsterdam since his move to AFC Ajax from Defensa y Justicia and he hit the ground running, being part of the team that beat PSV 2-0 in the 2019 Johan Cruyff Shield.”

“What stood out immediately was his composure on the ball, being self-assured at the center of defense, and his wide range of passing. “

“He leaves Ajax with his head held high, two Eredivisie titles and one Dutch Cup – and the love of the Ajax fans.”