Ian Wright has hailed former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after Argentina secured World Cup glory when they beat France in one of the greatest-ever finals on Sunday in Qatar.
Back in 2020, Martinez, then a number two at Arsenal, helped Mikel Arteta’s side to FA Cup glory and he wanted to be number one – that couldn’t be offered in north London because of Bernd Leno, so, as Wright mentioned, he ‘took his opportunity’ by going to Aston Villa and shining bright.
At the time, Villa’s vice-captain didn’t even have a single international cap to his name.
But fast forward to the present, after 26 games for Argentina, he has only lost once and he is a Copa America winner, as well as a World Cup winner.
It’s an incredible journey for the 30-year-old and Wright shared his thoughts on the player, as he told ITV Sport.
“You mention Emi Martinez, I remember him being at Arsenal,” said Wright. “It’s when Bernd Leno got injured. It was funny. He took his opportunity.
“Then he was saying ‘I want to be Argentina’s number one goalkeeper’. This is the reason why he wanted to do that. He has gone to Villa and done brilliantly. He has made himself Argentina’s number one.
“And he was in the perfect position doing what he does best, and that’s saving penalties.”
MARTINEZ THE KING OF PENALTIES
A man for the BIG, BIG moments. Against the Netherlands, he saved two spot-kicks to guide his team to the semi-final.
And now, he saved a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out to help Argentina secure World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.
That’s the Villa man in the legend books of his nation. Alongside the late, great Diego Maradona, as well as this current crop of Argentina stars.
Three penalty shootouts for Martinez – Copa America semi-final v Colombia – thee penalty saves, then against the Netherlands in the quarter-final of the World Cup – two penalty saves. And now a crucial save in the World Cup final!
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
