Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez recently shared an interesting story where he found himself in a whirlwind of emotions after a startling loss to Saudi Arabia during the World Cup opener last year.
The defeat against Saudi Arabia, where Martinez conceded two goals from the only two shots on target, left a profound impact on the goalkeeper. His candid reflections on this challenging period shed light on the internal turmoil he faced, revealing he had to work a lot with his psychologist in order to fight his inner demons during the tournament.
Emiliano Martínez on the game against Saudi Arabia: “On my World Cup debut, conceding two goals on two shots against Saudi Arabia was very painful. After that, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I woke up in the middle of the night with cold sweats at the idea of having to go home… pic.twitter.com/0wEwCFW8Ez
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 5, 2023
“On my World Cup debut, conceding two goals on two shots against Saudi Arabia was very painful. After that, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I woke up in the middle of the night with cold sweats at the idea of having to go home having failed at the World Cup. But I didn’t want to leave so quickly. My family had booked a hotel in Doha for a month,” Martinez shared.
“From the day after this match, I worked a lot with my psychologist and it helped me a lot to prepare for the match against Mexico. I was very stressed but very serene at the same time. After this victory and the one against Poland we got our confidence back,” added Martinez.
However, Martinez came back stronger than ever. He played an instrumental role in securing the prestigious World Cup trophy for his nation, showcasing exceptional talent and nerve in crucial penalty shootouts against the Netherlands and France in the final.
Acknowledging his outstanding contributions, Martinez was also honored with the Yashin Trophy at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards.
How the World Cup final against France shaped Emiliano Martinez’s career
Emiliano Martinez recently opened up about how the final of the FIFA World Cup against France was a turning point in his career, marking a pivotal moment that transformed him into a better player and laid the foundation for his 2023 Yashin Trophy victory.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Martinez reflected on the impact of the World Cup final against France, describing it as a life-altering experience that elevated his skills and mindset.
“The final against France? For 75 minutes, this is the best match we have played with this team. And the beauty of football is that in just 10 minutes everything can change. But this match made me a better goalkeeper. Suffering to win is the story of my life,” Martinez expressed.
Emiliano Martínez takes home the 𝒀𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒚! 🏆🧤 pic.twitter.com/Z5iX3tvAr7
— 433 (@433) October 30, 2023
The keeper’s journey with La Albiceleste saw him play a major role in their international success since 2021. After his key role in Argentina’s triumphant Copa America campaign in Brazil, Martinez continued to exhibit stellar performances throughout the 2022 World Cup, culminating in a standout display in the final that ultimately saw Lionel Messi hoist the coveted trophy.
As Martinez prepares to return to action for Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League against Dutch side AZ, his revelations provide a glimpse into the mindset of a player whose experiences on the grandest stage of soccer have shaped his evolution as a goalkeeper and as an individual.