Emiliano Martínez

Argentine goalkeeper who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove and became renowned for his penalty-saving abilities and crucial performances for club and cou

Emiliano Martínez was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1992. Arsenal signed him from Independiente as a teenager — he spent ten years as his backup goalkeeper before Aston Villa paid £20 million in 2020. His Villa career has transformed him into one of the world's finest goalkeepers. He won the Copa América with Argentina in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022 — his penalty shootout saves against France in the World Cup Final were decisive in Argentina's victory. His save from Kingsley Coman's spot kick, combined with his psychological attempts to unsettle French penalty takers — his dancing and deliberate delay — generated significant controversy and rule changes about goalkeeper behaviour in shootouts. He won the Yashin Award as world's best goalkeeper in 2023. His Copa América victory in 2024 completed a run of three consecutive international trophies with Argentina. His celebrations — carrying a trophy in the shape of a baby simulating masturbation in the Qatar World Cup ceremony — generated the most discussed single act of unsportsmanlike celebration in modern football.

Commanding presence, excellent shot-stopping, strong in penalty shootouts

Key goalkeeper in Argentina's World Cup triumph and Copa América success

• World Cup (2022)
• Copa América (2024)
• Champions League (2021 finalist)
• FA Cup (2020)
• Premier League (2022 Villa)
• World Cup 2022
• Copa América 2024
• FA Cup 2020

Club Career

Club	Period	Fee	Apps	Goals
Arsenal	2012–2020	£20m	15	0
Oxford United	2012–2012	loan	1	0
Sheffield Wednesday	2013–2014	loan	11	0
Rotherham United	2015–2015	loan	8	0
Wolverhampton Wanderers	2015–2016	loan	13	0
Getafe	2017–2018	loan	5	0
Reading	2019–2019	loan	18	0
Aston Villa	2020–Present	£20m	213	0
Argentina	—	—	57	—