Football
Martinez had been part of the Arsenal system since 2010 but struggled to secure a consistent starting position due to fierce competition. His career in the British capital consisted of several loan spells at Championship clubs and a brief spell in Spain. Martinez rarely played in cup competitions and even considered retiring. In 2020, Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno suffered a knee injury and was sidelined for a long period. Martinez was given the opportunity to play in the starting line-up and made the most of it. The Latin American goalkeeper impressed with some brilliant saves and eventually joined Aston Villa. The Birmingham club paid €17.5 million for his services and entrusted him with the goalkeeping duties. Martinez thanked the coaching staff for their confidence and enjoyed an excellent season in goal, despite previously lacking regular playing time. His statistics were remarkable, including 15 clean sheets and a save percentage of 78%. This paved the way for Martinez to represent the Argentine national team, and he made his debut against Chile in June 2021.

That same year, Argentina won the Copa América, with Martinez being named the tournament’s best goalkeeper. Fans particularly remember his performance in the semi-final against Colombia, where he saved three penalties in the shootout. In September 2021, Martinez pulled off a similar psychological trick in a Premier League match against Manchester United. Before the penalty was due to be taken, he was surprised to see Bruno Fernandes coming on for Cristiano Ronaldo. Martinez danced on the goal line, trying to distract Fernandes with his shouts. This time, he didn’t even have to make a save, as the midfielder missed the target. Martinez’s penalty save percentage is a phenomenon in modern football. Through his antics, he unsettles opponents and makes them nervous. He also has excellent reflexes and his imposing physique (height: 195 cm, weight: 88 kg) allows him to pry the ball out of corners even after powerful and precise shots from opponents. In November 2022, the analytical portal Transfermarkt valued Martinez at 25 million euros. His current contract with Aston Villa runs until June 2027 and he earns £2.4 million per year. The player is happy with his situation in Birmingham and has no intention of leaving the team. https://emiliano-martinez.com/