The unbelievable glow-up of Emiliano Martinez in the last couple of years is nothing lesser than a fairytale. Having played in the second and third tiers of English football even 5-6 seasons ago, the Argentine has won everything in his country’s shirt, alongside Lionel Messi.
Emi Martinez started his career with Arsenal back in 2012. He didn’t get a sniff around the first team until 2020. Arsenal’s German goalie Bernd Leno got injured against Brighton. Martinez got his first opportunity chance to show what he’s made off. It was the tail end of the season and Martinez performed exceptionally well.
Martinez demanded to be the first keeper for Arsenal, but the English club decided not to dislodge a very in-form Leno as well. He moved to Aston Villa in the summer for a good $24.5 million fee. His performances became even better. His ability to dominate his own box made him one of the best goalies in the league.
Today, @EmiMartinezz1 could become the first current Aston Villa player to play in the #FIFAWorldCup final.
We’re all behind you, Emi. 👊 pic.twitter.com/eyTXGwwGd1
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 18, 2022
Emi Martinez’s proven quality and performances earned him the number 1 shirt for Argentina. He went on a winning spree with his national team. In 2021 he won the Copa America. The following year he won the CONMEBOL- UEFA Cup of Champions and on 18th December 2022, he ended the long 36-year wait for Argentina to win the World Cup.
How did Leo Messi get his lucky red ribbon?
Lionel Messi has played multiple major tournament finals in his International career without winning them till 2018. In the 2018 World Cup, he missed a penalty against Iceland and dropped 2 important points at the Group stage. An Argentine reporter named Rama Pantaratto presented Leo Messi with a red amulet of his mother as a good-luck charm.
Lionel Messi wore it in the next match against Nigeria and scored a picturesque free-kick to win the match and take all three points. The good luck charm really worked for the Albiceleste superstar and he passed it on to his teammates.
In 2019 Philippe Coutinho was really struggling to get a foothold at Barcelona, and Messi gave the red ribbon to him. In the same year, he gave another to his national teammate Paulo Dybala who was struggling with injuries and form.
Emiliano Martinez was wearing Lionel Messi’s lucky red ribbon in the World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/ASyaWmRJOz
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 18, 2022
Most recently we saw the red ribbon on Emiliano Martinez’s hand when he went to collect the Golden Glove for his excellent performances throughout the tournament. He saved an unreal 1-on-1 shot from Kolo Muani in the 123rd minute of the match to deny France the winning goal. He also saved the first penalty from Kingsley Coman to take an instant advantage at the start of the shootout.