The bulldog-like defender, who had lifted the World Cup with Argentina four months earlier, fractured his metatarsal so badly against Sevilla in a Europa League clash that opposing countrymen Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel carried him off the pitch.
Martinez was then scooted down the tunnel on a stretcher, which in retrospect signalled the start of a long stretch of injury frustration.
His subsequent operation forced him to miss the final 13 matches of the season, including the FA Cup final. In an update on social media on April 17, Martinez wrote: "Everything went really well, thanks to God! Many thanks for all of your messages. Now focusing on the recovery."
That recovery appeared to go to plan, as the 26-year-old returned in time for pre-season, playing 316 minutes across five starts during the tour of the US and domestic friendlies.
However, he would play just seven matches during the regular season before his foot issue flared up once again. "He has to be strong. He will fight back, I'm sure," said Erik ten Hag upon the recurrence of his problem in September.
Martinez required a second round of surgery and the club were careful not to rush him back. In November, during a visit to his homeland to watch former club Defensa y Justicia, Martinez encouraged fans to be 'patient' with his recovery.
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