ZHAKE
From Arsenal’s sidelines to Argentina’s World Cup triumph, Emiliano Martínez’s journey is marked by resilience, wealth, love and controversy.
Emiliano Martinez knows what it feels like to be overlooked as it took a decade in the shadows to become an overnight sensation.
For years, he warmed the Arsenal bench, watching from the sidelines as other goalkeepers got their chances. Loan spell after loan spell, each one seemed like a step further from the big time, but he never stopped believing. That patience and resilience finally paid off in 2020.
Given a chance at Aston Villa, Martinez grabbed it with both hands — literally. From a forgotten understudy to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup penalty-saving hero, his rise is one of football’s most remarkable stories.
Martinez left Argentina for Arsenal as a teenager, but instead of a dream start, he faced years of frustration. He was sent out on loan six times, barely getting a look-in at the North London club. Even when he played a part in Arsenal’s 2020 FA Cup triumph, he was swiftly replaced.
That was the final straw. He moved to Aston Villa, where he proved he belonged at the highest level. His performances for Villa earned him a call-up to Argentina’s senior squad, and from there, his career skyrocketed.
In the Copa America final, his crucial saves helped Argentina win their first major trophy in nearly three decades. Then came the World Cup. His last-minute stop against Australia, his penalty heroics against the Netherlands, and his mind games in the final against France — all cemented his status as a national icon. When Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy, it was Martinez’s gloves that had made it possible.
Success hasn’t just brought Martinez fame, it has also made him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in the world. According to Salary Sport , his net worth is estimated at £30.16 million.
Qudus Salihu
ZHAKE