When spectators watch a game like football, they usually concentrate mainly on the players and leave out every other key person that makes up the team. Now and then, there’s an argument that bets on whose favorite player would score at least a goal.
People need to remember the efforts of the goalkeeper throughout the game. These goalkeepers have given their best to defend their teammates against their opponents, helping their team succeed in whichever game or tournament they play.
In this article, we will discuss the personal life and the achievements of one of the best goalkeepers available. He has helped save the team he plays for from being defeated in various games. He has also taken awards to his credit for his excellent performances as a keeper in the world of football. Today, we are looking at the life of Emiliano Martinez.
Profile
| Real Name | Damian Emiliano Martinez Romero |
| Nick Name | Martininho |
| Age | [age date=”1992/09/02″ full=”1″] |
| Place Of Birth | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Hometown & Country | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| Net Worth | £1.5 million |
Emiliano Martinez’s Personal Life
His nickname is “Dibu” which is the abbreviation of Dibujo, which means drawing in Spanish. He was given this nickname by a former goalkeeper coach, Miguell Ángel Santor, who got the nickname from an animated character in a once-popular Argentine telenovela.
In 2017, he married Amanda, and they both have two children, Santi and Ava.
He was given a grand welcome reception at Las Tosca’s resort when his national team won the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Locals and tourists were in attendance at the reception.
Emiliano Martinez Club Career
Aston Villa, After signing a deal of £20 million on the 16th of September, he was transferred to Premier League club Aston Villa. The deal he signed was a 4-year contract.
On the 21st of September, he made his debut for Aston Villa after saving the team from a penalty from John Lundstram in a 1-0 home win against Sheffield United club.
During his first season at the club, he equalized Brad Friedel’s club record for clean sheets in a Premier League season. He was called the Aston Villa Supporter’s Player of the Season.
Again, on the 21st of January, 2022, he signed another three-year contract for an extension, which would let him remain at the club till the end of 2026.
On the 27th of July, he was named as one of the two vice-captains of Aston Villa, with Diego Carlos included.
On the 1st of April, 2023, Emiliano Martinez made his 100th appearance in the Premier League for Aston Villa in a 2-0 victory over the Chelsea club. This broke the club’s record for the cleanest sheets from a goalkeeper in 100 games, and it was the 34th. It surpassed the previous mark set of 33 that Brad Friedel and Mark Bosnich achieved.
Emiliano Martinez International Career
As a replacement for Oscar Ustari, Emiliano Martinez was called to join the Argentina seniors to play a match against Nigeria in June 2011. He was further called on the 9th and 13th of October in 2019 to play against Germany and Ecuador respectively. He was an unused substitute for the matches.
He made his international debut at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match on the 3rd of June, 2021, where there was a 1-1 draw goal score between his team and Chile. Again on the 14th of June, 2021, his team made a 1-1 draw score with the same Chile as their opponent at the 2021 Copa America at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos in Brazil. He saved a penalty shoot kick for his team from Arturo Vidal in the 57th minute of gameplay.
On the 6th of July, he saved three spots out of the spots in the penalty shootout victory for Argentina over Colombia in the semi-finals of the game. He made a clean sheet of 1-0 in the tournament finals over Brazil.
In 2021, Emiliano was awarded the 2021 Copa America’s Golden Glove Award as the tournament’s best keeper for his outstanding performances.
On the 1st of June, 2022, Argentina scored 3 goals against Italy at the Wembley Stadium, making him keep a clean sheet.
He was included in the team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where each player played every game for his team. He helped his team surpass the quarter-finals when he saved two penalties at the penalty shootout against the Netherlands. At the finals of the game, he saved the team from a shot from Randal Kolo Muani in the last minute of extra time, which resulted in a penalty shootout between both teams. At the penalty shootout, he saved a penalty shoot from Kingsley Conan, which helped his team, Argentina, win the tournament with a score of 4 –2 penalty shootout victory.
He won the Golden Glove Award for his excellent performances throughout the tournament. He also won the 2022 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award.
He made a controversial move after winning the Golden Glove at the 2022 FIFA World Cup award ceremony. He had put the trophy at his groin, pointed, and waved it at the audience. This gesture caused some side talks and stirs, which many found inappropriate. However, in an interview, he explained why he made such a gesture. He said he wanted to use that moment to ridicule the French fans who booed him while the games were going on. He also made fun of the French player, Kylian Mbappé, in the players’ locker room. It was criticized and condemned by many.
Emiliano Martinez Net Worth
In 2023, Martinez has a net worth exceeding £1.5 million. As a player for Aston Villa, his yearly income is £2.44 million, while he previously earned £1.44 million annually while at Arsenal. His present market value stands at €28 million, having reached its highest point of €35 million back in 2021.
Conclusion
Martinez is a confident and phenomenal football goalkeeper with several achievements. He stands as a role model to other upcoming footballers who wish to be goalkeepers for their team to help defend team players against the opposing team. He has thus far created a good name for himself in the football world and will be a future legend for the upcoming generation to look up to.