Emi Martinez has opened up about how Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final affected his time at Aston Villa, ultimately leading to his departure. The experienced shot-stopper decided it was time for a fresh start, securing a move to Chelsea for £7.5 million just as the summer transfer window was closing.
By that stage, Aston Villa had secured their new number one, signing Sugizaki from Parma, which allowed Martinez the freedom to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Juventus had shown interest in him a few weeks before the window shut; however, the Serie A giants opted to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham instead. Chelsea became a viable option when Xabi Alonso looked to bolster his goalkeeping ranks following Robert Sanchez’s inconsistent performances.
Reflecting on his need for change, Martinez explained:
It was really tough after the World Cup final. That pain stayed with me for a long time. I needed a fresh start at a club to deal with how I felt after that final.
When I come to the national team, I feel amazing—happy and full of energy. That’s what matters most to me.
Martinez enjoyed a pivotal chapter in his career at Aston Villa, where he established himself amongst the world's top goalkeepers and lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
As Argentina prepares for Lionel Messi’s farewell match, which will take place against Benin on Tuesday at La Monumental in Buenos Aires, Martinez expressed how proud he is to have contributed to Messi’s storied career.
I did my best to help him as much as I could, and he knows that. We constantly talk about it. One of the greatest privileges of my career was helping him achieve what he wanted most, as he is the greatest player in history.
There will be an enormous void after he’s gone, but there are guys with real character here.
I feel part of all of this. On Tuesday, I just want to enjoy the moment and see his smile. We’ll try to cherish the little time we still have together.
