Emiliano Martinez has announced that he will retire if Argentina successfully defend their World Cup title in 2026.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, especially when it comes to penalties. His brilliance helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating France in the final.
Argentina are enjoying a stellar season on the international stage. This past summer, they successfully defended their Copa America title, winning their third consecutive tournament.
La Albiceleste’s focus now is on preparing for the next World Cup, which will be held in North America. Argentina will be one of the favourites and Emi Martinez has insisted that if he wins another title he will retire immediately.
“Is there any national team that has won two World Cups in a row? If I become a two-time world champion with Argentina, I will retire. I promise you. I say this today. After that World Cup, I will retire,” he told AFA Estudio.
Emi Martinez admits that, amid all the emotions following the victory in Qatar, where Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup he longed for, the Aston Villa goalkeeper thought about retiring despite still being in his 20s.
He shared: “I went into the dressing room and saw Cuti Romero and Marito crying. Then I said: ‘No, that’s enough, I’m retiring from the national team. That’s enough, I’ve achieved everything.’ That was my dream. Then I met Paulo Dybala, he was crying too, and when I hugged him, I started crying like a child, thinking about what I had suffered in England.
Emi Martinez won the Golden Glove award at the World Cup in the Middle East and was then awarded the Yashin Trophy for two consecutive years. This week, the Argentine goalkeeper made history by becoming the first man to win the FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper award twice.
Emi Martinez has also enjoyed success at the club, playing a key role in Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery, helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
