Messi Turns 39 on Wednesday. Argentina Just Gave Him the Perfect Gift.

Argentina is through to the next round of the 2026 World Cup after a clean, professional win over Austria. And if you’re looking for the guy who held the back line together, that was Lisandro Martinez. The Manchester United center-back didn’t just help keep a second straight clean sheet. He basically made the Austrian attack disappear.

Martinez put up seven clearances, completed 94 percent of his passes, and won three of four aerial duels. He also came away with three ball recoveries. For a guy who’s 5-foot-9 playing center-back at a World Cup, that’s not bad. That’s not bad at all.

After the final whistle, Martinez hit Instagram with a quick message: “Another step forward. We fought together and achieved a huge victory. Go Argentina!!” Short and to the point. That’s how you handle business when you’ve got bigger goals in mind.

The Messi Factor Isn’t Going Anywhere

Lionel Messi is 39 years old on Wednesday. He’s scored all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament so far — a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. He’s still the guy. And Martinez knows it.

“Honestly, there are no words — all we can do is enjoy it,” Martinez told reporters after the match. “There’s no point comparing him to anyone else because he’s in a league of his own; he stands alone at the top. All we can do is enjoy it, enjoy it. I’m lost for words; I can’t find the words. I just feel such immense joy at having him here day in, day out, and that he’s Argentine. We really must appreciate him.”

That’s not coach-speak. That’s a teammate who knows he’s watching history happen in real time.

Argentina Looks Like the Real Deal

Two games, two wins, zero goals conceded. That’s how you follow up a World Cup title defense. Martinez has been a rock, and he’s carried his club form from Manchester straight into the national team setup. No adjustment period. No wobble. Just consistent, rock-solid defending.

The knockout stage is coming. And if Argentina keeps playing like this — with Messi doing Messi things and Martinez cleaning up everything behind him — there’s no reason to think they can’t go all the way again.

Next up for Argentina: a date with whoever finishes second in Group C. No opponent has been confirmed yet. But one thing is already clear — this team is not messing around.