Who is Emiliano Martinez? Know Stats, Profile, Bio and more

Emiliano Martinez as of 21^st of December 2022 has become a world cup hero. He saved a crucial penalty in the World Cup final against France that helped his team lift the Qatar FIFA World Cup.

But very few people know about the enigma that Martinez is. He was not known at the big stages until 2019 when he broke into Arsenal’s starting lineup. Martinez took them to FA Cup glory in 2020 along with FA Community Shield win too.

Still, many have this question regarding who is Emi Martinez the man behind Lionel Messi’s World Cup success. Let’s find out about the man between the sticks for Argentina in detail.

Emiliano Martinez personal details

Emiliano Martinez Club Career

2010-2019 Years in Shadows

Martinez was a young blood when he first came to England from Argentina in 2010. Having played for Interpendiente in his Youth stage of the career, he received a callup from Arsenal.

However, he spent his next ten years as a loanee at different clubs like Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolves, Getafe, and Reading.

Emilio Martinez’s days at Arsenal were mostly marred and shadowed by the likes of Wojciech Szczęsny, Łukasz Fabiański, and Petr Čech.

From 2012-2020, Martinez could only manage to get a total of 15 appearances to his name in Arsenal shirt. The first of them came in 2012 during Arsenal’s 6-1 win over Coventry City in third round of League cup.

Soon he was sent on emergency loans to championship side Sheffield Wednesday where he spends the rest of his 2013/14 season.

Upon return to Arsenal in 2014, he started as a substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Wembley on 10^th August. The very same season he showed glimpses of class that he possessed during his subsequent debut and second Champions League game. Martinez managed to keep a clean sheet against Borussia Dortmund that earned him a place in UEFA’s team of the week.

This too, however, was not enough to impress Arsenal’s management. As a result, he was sent to another load at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the subsequent season.

After returning for 2016/17 season, Martinez made 5 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, before he was sent off to another loan in August 2017 to Getafe. There he spent another season long loan, and featured in just 5 games. Upon returning, he was sent to Reading, where he made his debut against Bolton and won Man of the Match against Aston Villa.

2019 Taking the center stage by storm

On June 20, 2020: Emilio Martinez made his first appearance for Arsenal since 2016-17 season after Bernd Leno came off injured against Brighton. And suddenly, he became the man of the moment.

There were talks about the commanding and brilliant style of keeping that he brought on the table. Martinez starred in Arsenal’s 14^th FA Cup victory, in a final against Chelsea, he made crucial saves to ensure his team’s victory.

He even started in FA Community Shield Match against Liverpool next season. Arsenal won that game on Penalties and Martinez won the favor of several clubs.

The Departure

The return of Bernd Leno from injury was the tipping point for Martinez and his career at Arsenal. He had tasted the blood by becoming a regular first team start for his team at Arsenal, and now he wanted the confirmation of the same for the upcoming season.

With return of Leno, that was not possible for Arsenal. Hence, Emilio Martinez was left with no choice but to leave the club on a Permanent basis. There was huge amount of interest shown by Premier League as well as by foreign clubs in his services.

At the end, Martinez decided to join hands with Aston Villa for a four-year contract.

At Villa Park (2020-)

Martinez landed at Aston Villa on 16^th September 2020, on the back of a hefty £20 million fees. But the pricetag didn’t bother him, as he had the game to show for it. and in his very first appearance for the club Martinez saved a penalty to show for his class.

His maiden season was filled with records, as he equaled the club’s record for most clean sheets in a season. Martinez match the total of 15 previously set by American keeper Bradley Howard Fidel.

Currently, Emiliano Martinez has played a total of 87 games for Aston Villa and kept 29 clean sheets in those games.

International Career of Emiliano Martinez

Emiliano Martinez received his maiden international callup in 2011 in a friendly against Nigeria. Although, he didn’t make his competitive debut for Argentina until 2021 when he represented them in a Copa America 2021.

It was a tournament to remember for Martinez as he saved 3 spot kicks in Argentina’s clash against Columbia in semifinals and went on to keep a clean sheet in final against Brazil as Argentina won their 15^th Copa America trophy.

Emi Martinez was also adjudged as the keeper of the tournament and awarded golden glove for the same.

Later, in 2022 he starred in Argentina’s another international final victory as they beat Italy the champions of Europe in the Finalissima 2022. Emi Martinez kept a clean sheet as Argentina defeat Italy by 3-0.

FIFA World Cup 2022

The biggest feather in his hat has to be the world cup medal at World Cup 2022 in Qatar. He was once again the hero for his team between the sticks. And he shined twice in the tournament when his team needed him the most.

Argentina went on penalties on two different occasions in the tournament. First was a quarterfinal clash against Netherlands that ended at 2-2 and Penalties were called in order.

Martinez managed to save two out of the four shots fired at him. This eventually led to Argentina winning the game by 4-2 in the shootouts.

Later, in the final of the tournament against France Martinez was literally the difference between Argentina and France’s victory. He saved a venomous shot in the 123^rd minute of Extra Time to ensure the score remained 3-3.

Then in the penalties, Emi Martinez produced an amazing save to ensure his team’s 4-2 victory over France.

He was yet again awarded with the Golden Glove award for the magnificent performance he put on show during the world cup.