Emiliano Martínez, driven by superstitious beliefs, swapped his leading number one jersey for number 23 before the season’s inception, as a gesture of honour to the birthdate of his son, Santi, aged six. The switch appeared favourable to Martínez as he bagged four titles, including a second Copa América during the summer, donning the number 23.
Superstition also prompted Mandinha, Martínez’s wife, to present him with two plush animals before the World Cup. The keepsakes in question represent Santi’s penguin and Ava’s giraffe – their three-year-old daughter. Martínez carries these mascots in the locker room, alongside pictures of his children.
“They accompany me wherever I travel,” expressed Martínez, whose shin protectors bear illustrations of his loved ones and snapshots of his professional peaks. “This pre-match ritual instils motivation. She [Mandinha] prophesied: ‘You will carry the golden trophy home.’ I was distant from my family for 40 days, and I accomplished it.”
An image of Martínez procuring a pair of soft toys as an inherent part of his matchday routine initially appears incongruous with his on-field persona – widely perceived as a tactical disturber and, as a result, often framed as a foe.
However, many people’s perception of him is likely shaped by his pivotal performance in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where he pulled off a spectacular save in the final moments of extra time, denying Randal Kolo Muani and France the glory. This was followed by a successful penalty stop against Kingsley Coman and psychological manipulation of Aurélien Tchouaméni, who subsequently blundered his shot.
Regarding such divisive actions, Martínez clarifies, “They aren’t premeditated. I find them instinctive. I don’t ponder, I just act. Events get carried away in the heat of the moment due to adrenaline rush, and at times, it’s unmanageable.”
Despite occasional misinterpretation of his actions on field, Martínez maintains that he’s not an ostentatious person, rather simply a normal family figure. However, when it comes to securing victory, his determination knows no bounds. “Indeed, I may be viewed as a show-off by those less acquainted with me. But in truth, I give my all for my team, whether at the club or national level. My sole focus is striving for the best outcomes for my club and country,” he explained.
The 31-year-old is unequivocal about his relentless pursuit of victory. Yet, it raises a few eyebrows when he emphatically states that he has no intention of annoying fans. Likening to Jamie Vardy, who teased Tottenham fans by gesturing towards the Premier League emblem on his jersey, Martínez insists that he does not engage in sly banter with spectators.
“Everyone has their unique approach,” explains Martínez. “I don’t aim to provoke the spectators; I merely attempt to shift the momentum of the game when it appears not in our favour, or kick the ball as forcefully as I can to the opposing side.”
However, Martínez upholds the importance of decorum, irrespective of the circumstances. His stance is firm: if you maintain your calm, refrain from derogatory remarks, and express respect for all religions, then freedom of actions should be permissible. He guarantees that neither does he utter vulgar language nor insult others – his sole intention is to aid his team to victory.
Having made a name for himself with two successful saves in a Copa América shoot-out victory over Ecuador in July, Martínez was seen swaying his hips in celebration. A similar scene played out in Lille during Aston Villa’s quarter-final Europa Conference League match, where despite receiving two yellow cards for unsporting behaviour, he was spared a red card due to a technicality in the Uefa regulations.
Martínez openly recounts his surprise when he was booked for requesting the ball from a ballboy. He had anticipated his exit from the football game, just like others on the field. The event led to him sitting out the semi-final matches at his own ground, in front of hundreds of cheering fans. This, Martínez comments with disappointment, considering his luck.
Following the announcement of Martínez’s contract extension with Villa until 2029 in a reimagined club shop, he candidly discusses the value of his long-standing psychologist, David Priestley. As he does so, his young son in a matching kit snuggles into him, whilst his daughter gently taps him with a pair of goalkeeper’s gloves, calling for his attention. Martínez, set to turn 32 soon, praises Priestley’s impact, emphasizing how crucial it is for a player to have a figure who can balance their emotional highs and lows.
While Martínez rates his performances as consistent sevens, Villa supporters and the football operations’ respected president, Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, otherwise known as Monchi, argue otherwise. Monchi, who was a goalkeeper for Sevilla in his younger days, boldly claims Martínez deserves to be ranked alongside iconic players like Lev Yashin, Gianluigi Buffon, Dino Zoff, and Ubaldo Fillol, the 1978 World Cup Champion with Argentina. Echoing the sentiment, Martínez was honoured with the Yashin Trophy at the last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, following his third golden glove win for Argentina during the summer.
An unforgettable moment from last season for Emi Martínez, was his incredible save that thwarted Leandro Trossard’s attempt at goal, whilst playing against Arsenal. This outstanding performance is a vivid memory as Arsenal and Aston Villa prepare for another face off at Villa Park. Aston Villa managed to beat Arsenal twice last season, negatively affecting Arsenal’s chances at the title. Despite reflecting on the past victories, Martínez insists that the upcoming match is just one more on the calendar. However, he admits that, although competing for the title is out of reach, they hope to make their mark in Europe, especially under the guidance of their seasoned coach, Unai Emery.
Martínez holds in high regard their manager, Unai Emery, who led Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2021-22 season and boasts a record of four Europa League wins. He genuinely believes that under such leadership, and with the right players, the team has chances of excelling in their maiden Champions League journey.
Despite his self-assurance, Martínez is candid about his self-analysis. He looks back at last season with mixed feelings about his performance. Despite preventing many goals, performing more sweeping and crosses, he was not satisfied with only nine clean sheets. This isn’t unjust, as Martínez has the ambition of winning the golden glove at Aston Villa.
His game style has considerably evolved since Unai and Villa’s goalkeeping coach, Javi, directed him to be more defense-focused. He believes that if they manage to concede fewer goals than the previous season, the likelihood of finishing in the top four, and perhaps bagging a trophy, will be higher. This kind of achievement has eluded them for some time.
Interestingly, Martínez’s relationship with “mad man” García began at Arsenal when Emery was in charge. He even had an opportunity to join them at Villarreal in 2020 but chose Aston Villa instead. Before settling at Villa, Martínez embarked on loan spells to Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Reading in the Championship, and even travelled overseas to Getafe in La Liga. Despite impressing at Arsenal, Martínez was not able to secure the first-choice goalkeeper spot under Mikel Arteta.
Martínez fondly recalls his Arsenal days when he was young, adapting to the language and adjusting to life in England. Fast forward to the present day, he is now more seasoned, playing more games, and a proud father. He looks back and acknowledges his evolution as a person.
Martínez asserts his dedication to his superstitions as they significantly outnumber one or two. He declares, “I have a multitude”. His regular routine involves participating in pilates, practising yoga about forty-eight hours prior, praying before fixtures, and arranging meetings with his psychologist. He highlights the success of his change in jersey number, hinting at Villa’s inaugural win at West Ham since his £20 million transfer to the team.
His last two displays for Arsenal , a triumphant FA Cup game against Chelsea and a victorious penalty shootout against Liverpool for the Community Shield were both at Wembley. Nw, he has his sights set on winning trophies with Villa.
Martínez vocally demands a trophy win during training sessions, stating, “At the minimum, we need to make it to a final. The supporters and this club are deserving of a good cup run.” Although he is fond of his current club, Martínez says he would not continue there if he didn’t perceive any progress. His ambitions are clear as he wants to win, achieve and continuously strive to become the world’s top goalkeeper, if possible. – Guardian