Emi Martinez has professed he would retire if Argentina were successful at the next World Cup with the Aston Villa goalkeeper looking to add to his international honours
Emiliano Martinez claims he would retire if Argentina retained the World Cup in 2026.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper has marked himself out as one of the game’s top No 1s – excelling when it comes to penalties. That helped the South American nation land global glory in Qatar two years ago as they saw off France in the final.
Argentina have been able to enjoy a purple patch internationally. Back in the summer they retained their Copa America crown meaning they’ve won the last three tournaments they’ve participated in.
Their focus now is on building towards the next World Cup, which will be held across North America. Argentina will be among the favourites and Martinez insists that another success would see him hang up his gloves there and then.
He told AFA Estudio : “Is there any national team that has won two World Cups in a row? If I become a two-time world champion with the Argentine national team, I will retire. I promise you. I’m telling you today. I will retire after that World Cup.”
Martinez admits, amid all the emotion of winning in Qatar, which saw Lionel Messi finally claim the World Cup he so craved, the Villa No 1 considered calling it a day despite still being in his 20s.
He said: “I get to the dressing room, and I see Cuti Romero and Marito crying. Then I said: ‘No, that’s it, I’m retiring from the national team. That’s it, I’ve achieved everything’. It was my dream. Then I passed Paulo Dybala crying and when I hugged him, I started crying like a child thinking about what I suffered in England.”
Martinez won the Golden Glove at the World Cup in the Middle East and was subsequently awarded the Yashin Trophy the following two years. This week the Argentine made history by becoming the first-ever two-time winner of FIFA’s The Best Men’s Goalkeeper award.
At club level Martinez has also been able to enjoy success. He’s been a key cog in Villa’s rise under Unai Emery with the Midlands outfit qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
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