Martinez eager for Argentina teammates to dominate in World Cup final
By Joel Masibo, July 18, 2026Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has insisted he would rather see his teammates receive the praise than himself as the world champions prepare for Sunday’s, July 19, 2026, FIFA World Cup final against Spain, where they are chasing consecutive titles.
Addressing the media on Friday, July 17, 2026, the 33-year-old emphasised that recognition for his fellow players and coaching staff matters far more to him than personal acclaim.
Martinez on Sunday’s final
“I don’t want to be making the headlines,” the 33-year-old told reporters on Friday.
“I want my teammates and the manager to trust me. That’s more important to me than making the headlines. I want my teammates to be the stars. Goalkeepers are the only ones who don’t need to score goals. They don’t have to be the protagonist. But if they need me, I will be there to help them, and if not, I will celebrate exactly the same way.”
Martinez has battled through the tournament while recovering from a fractured ring finger on his right hand, an injury he sustained during Aston Villa’s warm-up before their UEFA Europa League final victory over Freiburg on May 20. Despite the setback, he rejoined Argentina’s preparations in Kansas City on June 12 ahead of the team’s opening World Cup fixture against Algeria.
Providing an update on his recovery, Martinez admitted the injury remains uncomfortable but said the situation has improved considerably.
“It still hurts,” he said. “I knew it was going to hurt, I tried to avoid surgery. I consulted a great number of hand specialists in England, the United States and other countries. They said I’d have to undergo surgery. They told me I couldn’t even train. After the Egypt game [in the round of 16] I could start training normally, and now I feel much better.”
The goalkeeper also reflected on Argentina’s dramatic penalty-shootout victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final, saying the experience taught him how to remain mentally strong under intense pressure.
“In that final we were totally superior to France for 90 minutes,” he said. “But I let in three goals [in the 120 minutes], and when that happens you are usually out of the tournament. I can concede goals, but in the next play I am the same player as always. I try not to let the pressure get to me.”
The former Arsenal shot-stopper added that he is approaching Sunday’s showdown with confidence and composure, believing that a goalkeeper’s value extends well beyond producing spectacular saves.
“To be honest, I feel really calm. It’s my second time,” he said. “Many people think good goalkeepers need to make great saves. It goes beyond that. It’s your positioning, moving your line higher, being composed. My teammates are so good on the ball that they see calmness and safety when they look back, so that they can go forward with confidence.”
Focusing on Yamal
Looking ahead to the final, Martinez warned against focusing solely on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, stressing that Spain possess quality throughout the squad.
“Spain has a great team. I know many of them, because many play in the Premier League,” he said. “It’s not just Lamine. They have players who work for the team. They are in the final for a reason. They have their strengths, but so do we. I hope it’s a final that goes down in history for the fans.”