Emiliano Martínez
Goalkeeper · Aston Villa · Argentina
About Emiliano Martínez
Emiliano Martínez is a World Cup winner whose dramatic penalty saves in Qatar 2022 made him one of the most celebrated goalkeepers on the planet. After a decade in Arsenal's reserves, his move to Aston Villa in 2020 unlocked one of football's great late bloomers — a goalkeeper of immense physical presence, sharp reflexes and an unmistakable personality.
Emiliano Martínez's story
Ten Years Waiting
Martínez spent a decade at Arsenal without ever becoming the undisputed first choice, making over 90 appearances for the club across various loan spells at clubs including Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham (ENG), Wolves, Reading (ENG), Getafe and Sheffield United. Each loan sharpened him. When Bernd Leno was injured at a crucial moment in the 2019-20 season, Martínez stepped in and played exceptionally — keeping Arsenal in the FA Cup run that led to silverware. It was a showcase that finally confirmed his quality.
Aston Villa & World-Class Status
Aston Villa paid £20 million to make him their first choice in September 2020. He repaid the faith immediately, producing save after crucial save to keep Villa in the Premier League and then to propel them towards European football. Under Unai Emery he became one of the top goalkeepers in the division. His shot-stopping and distribution won him the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper in the world) in 2023.
Argentina's Hero
Martínez's finest hours came with Argentina. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was the decisive factor in Argentina's triumph — saving penalties against Netherlands and France in shootouts that carried Lionel Messi's generation to their long-awaited title. He has been a first-choice keeper for Argentina ever since, also helping them win the 2024 Copa América.
Dibu's Beginnings
Martínez was born in the hospital in Mar del Plata that his family's gloves auction later supported, and joined boyhood club Independiente's youth ranks as a teenager, moving to Buenos Aires to pursue it. Goalkeeping coach Miguel Ángel Santoro, an Independiente legend, gave him the nickname "Dibu" after a cartoon character he resembled, a name that has stuck for his entire career.
Did you know?
- 🧤 Named Best Goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup — his penalty saves in the quarter-final vs Netherlands and final vs France were decisive in Argentina lifting the trophy.
- 😤 Infamous for his psychological tactics during shootouts — pulling up opponents, dancing and staring down penalty takers — sparking global debate about gamesmanship.
- 👨👩👧👦 Married interior designer Amanda 'Mandinha' Gama in May 2017; they have two children, Santi (born 2018) and Ava (born 2021). Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, he spent a decade on Arsenal's books before finally breaking through at Aston Villa in 2020.
- 🏆 Has won the Golden Glove award at three separate major international tournaments with Argentina: the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.
- 🧤 In his first season at Aston Villa he equalled Brad Friedel's club record of 15 Premier League clean sheets, and his 34th clean sheet for the club broke the record for most clean sheets in a goalkeeper's opening 100 appearances, previously held jointly by Mark Bosnich and Brad Friedel.
- ❤️ Auctioned the gloves he wore in Argentina's 2024 Copa América final for $100,000 at a charity gala, with the proceeds going to the children's hospital in his home city of Mar del Plata where he himself was born.
- 🧸 Keeps a pair of small teddy bears, a good-luck gift from his wife before the 2022 World Cup, on his shin pads for matches, and follows a pre-match routine that includes pilates, yoga and prayer.
- 🏙️ Is the first World Cup winner in the history of his home city, Mar del Plata — before him, tennis star Guillermo Vilas had been the resort city's most famous sporting name.
- 🔵 Took Chelsea's no.26 shirt on joining the club in August 2026, previously worn by John Terry throughout his Chelsea career, saying Terry personally gave his blessing for him to wear it.
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