Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has disclosed that he competed in the recent World Cup with a fractured finger, enduring extreme pain and disregarding medical recommendations for surgery.
Martinez, a key player for the defending champions, sustained the injury during the warm-up for Aston Villa's Europa League final victory against Freiburg. Despite the fracture, he played in that match with a strapped finger. The injury caused him to miss Argentina's pre-tournament warm-up games.
"My hand still hurts every day; I knew it was going to be extremely painful," Martinez stated in the lead-up to the World Cup final. "I avoided surgery, even though all the specialists I consulted in the United States and England told me I needed to have it."
He explained that he was unable to train during the group stage but felt better from the Round of 16 onwards. Martinez emphasized the importance of team support, noting a message from his coach expressing confidence in his selection regardless of his condition.
"The coach sent me a message saying, 'No matter what state you're in, I want you on my team'," Martinez said. "To me, that means more than saving 10 penalties or making the front page of the newspaper. And if my moment doesn't come but we win the final, it will mean just as much."
Martinez was instrumental in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, making a crucial save in the final moments against France and a key stop in the penalty shootout. He expressed that he is enjoying the current tournament more than the previous one, recalling past struggles in Qatar.
"I'm enjoying this World Cup much more than the last one. I suffered a lot after the Saudi Arabia match in Qatar," he recalled. "I didn't face many shots, yet I conceded goals. I only played a decisive role during the penalty shootouts. I think I'm playing better with my feet now."
Looking ahead to the final match, Martinez conveyed a sense of calm and confidence. "I'll step onto the pitch on Sunday, and you'll see me smiling," he stated. "A goalkeeper's role goes beyond just making saves during the match; you have to come off your line and project confidence. These are footballing aspects that reassure my teammates, I need to show them I'm composed."