BREAKING NEWS: In a statement that has stunned the football world, Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland has openly admitted that while he has battled against some of the Premier League’s toughest defenders including William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, and Gabriel Magalhães — none of them match the quality of one specific Manchester United defender. According to Haaland, this player is “the best defender I have ever faced in my entire career.”
The defender he named? Lisandro Martínez.
For Haaland — a striker who has torn apart nearly every defense in Europe — such high praise is incredibly rare. Known for his physical dominance, blistering pace, and clinical finishing, Haaland has come up against the world’s elite centre-backs from the Bundesliga to the Champions League to the Premier League.
Yet, despite facing towering and physically imposing opponents, it is Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine who has impressed him the most.
Haaland reportedly made the comments during a recent sit-down interview, where he reflected on the challenges he has faced in England. He explained that Martínez’s defensive style poses a unique and unusually difficult problem, even for a striker of his caliber.
While Haaland thrives on overpowering defenders and exploiting their mistakes, Martínez refuses to be intimidated or outplayed.
Instead of trying to match Haaland physically, he uses a razor-sharp football mind, lightning-quick decision-making, and fearless determination to nullify his impact.
Standing at just 5’9”, Martínez is far from the typical centre-back profile. Yet what he lacks in height, he compensates for with elite awareness, excellent timing, and unrelenting aggression.
Haaland emphasized that Martínez reads the game so well that he often cuts off passing lanes before the striker even makes his move.
This exceptional ability to anticipate danger, combined with his courage in one-on-one duels, is what sets him apart from every other defender Haaland has encountered.
Their on-field battles have already become highlights for both Manchester clubs’ supporters. Each time Manchester United face Manchester City, the duel between Haaland the Premier League’s most feared finisher and Martínez United’s warrior-like defensive general becomes the centre of attention.
Their clashes represent more than just individual rivalry; they embody the fierce competition between the two Manchester giants.
Analysts note that Haaland’s praise carries even more weight given the intensity of the Manchester rivalry. Complimenting a defender from the opposing side is extremely rare, especially from a player who is known for his competitive edge.
Martínez’s performances in the derby have earned him admiration not only from United fans but even from his greatest adversary.
As the season continues, football lovers can expect the Haaland vs. Martínez narrative to grow even bigger. Their contrasting styles Haaland’s power and precision against Martínez’s ferocious reading of the game promise more thrilling encounters.
In a football era dominated by superstar egos, Haaland’s acknowledgment of Martínez serves as a reminder of the respect that true competitors share. Their battles are far from over and each meeting is shaping up to be a Premier League classic.
