The World Cup-winning goalkeeper whose celebration provoked controversy — and whose saves won it.
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.
World Cup (2022)
Career Honours
- World Cup (2022)
- Copa América (2024)
- Champions League (2021 finalist)
- FA Cup (2020)
- Premier League (2022 Villa)