New York, July 18: The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will feature a showdown between Argentina and Spain. Ahead of this crucial match, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez expressed his desire for his teammates to receive more attention than himself. He emphasized that a goalkeeper’s primary role is to instill confidence in the team, rather than seeking the limelight.
According to a report by Xinhua, the 33-year-old stated, “I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I want my teammates and coaches to trust me. This is more important than being in the limelight. I want my teammates to shine. Goalkeepers are the only players who don’t need to score. They don’t have to play the main role. However, if they need me, I will be there to help, and if not, I will celebrate just the same.”
Despite facing injuries throughout the tournament, Martinez has continued to play. He fractured the ring finger of his right hand during warm-ups before Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League final victory against Freiburg on May 20. He returned to training with the Argentina team in Kansas City just days before their first match against Algeria on June 12.
Martinez shared, “It still hurts. I knew there would be pain; I tried to avoid surgery. I consulted hand specialists in England, America, and other countries. They told me I would need surgery and that I couldn’t even train. After the match against Egypt in the Round of 16, I was able to train normally again, and now I feel much better.”
To remain calm under pressure, Martinez drew on his experience from Argentina’s penalty shootout victory against France in the 2022 World Cup final. He remarked, “In that final, we were clearly better than France for 90 minutes. However, I conceded three goals in 120 minutes, and when that happens, you usually exit the tournament. I can concede goals, but the next moment, I remain the same player. I try not to let pressure overwhelm me.” The former Arsenal player stated he feels at ease ahead of the upcoming match against the current European champions.
The Argentine goalkeeper added, “To be honest, I feel very calm. This is my second chance. Many people think a good goalkeeper needs to make fantastic saves. But it’s much more than that. It’s about positioning, pushing your line forward, and staying calm. My teammates are so good with the ball that when they look back, they feel a sense of peace and security, allowing them to move forward with confidence.”
Regarding their Sunday opponents, Martinez noted that Spain’s threat extends beyond just young forward Lamine Yamal. He said, “Spain’s team is very good. I know many of them as they play in the Premier League. It’s not just about Yamal. They have players who play for the team. They reached the final for a reason. They have their strengths, and so do we. I hope this final will be memorable for the fans.”
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