Aston Villa and Argentina have been blessed to have witnessed Emiliano Martinez grow into the best goalkeeper in the world in their colours.
When Aston Villa signed Martinez from Arsenal in 2020, he was the number two at the Emirates after nearly a decade at the club and had zero international caps to his name.
Fast forward to the present and Martinez helped Villa into the Champions League last season, but even better for the player himself, he has won three major trophies with his country, with the latest coming this summer when Argentina retained their Copa America crown.
But the trophy that Martinez will forever be remembered for is winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and that penalty shootout.
Whatever Martinez does at Villa, the World Cup stage is the greatest of them all and nothing will beat it.
The 32-year-old did his part to wind up the French fans for his antics during the shootout, but also his post-match celebrations, especially when he was collecting his best goalkeeper award.
In typical Martinez fashion, he repeated that when celebrating Argentina’s Copa America win from the summer in front of their fans on national duty this week.
But the confident shot-stopper seems to have rattled the people of France again, especially one Frank Leboeuf.
The former Chelsea player, who is a World Cup winner himself, was left annoyed and baffled by Martinez repeating his actions.
Leboeuf says he can’t understand why Villa’s number one would do that again and even labelled it ‘insane’, as he told ESPN.
It’s a bit of an overreaction from the former centre-back. First of all, he isn’t harming anyone and it’s all a bit of fun, but that’s what happens when you win a World Cup by dancing your way to the trophy.
Emiliano Martinez celebrates Copa America win with Argentina fans
“I don’t know what Martinez is trying to do,” said Leboeuf. “What kind of message he is sending to the world? We were talking about Courtois being the best goalkeeper in the world. I really think that Emiliano Martinez is very close to that. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper.
“Why do you want to do that? I can’t even understand. That’s insane.”
Ale Moreno added by throwing his hands up in the air: “The maturity of a player. I think it’s funny. I think it’s funny.”
Aston Villa are blessed to have Emiliano Martinez
Martinez recently signed a new contract at Villa and it’s probably the best deal the club have concluded all summer.
Yes, Amadou Onana has started like a house on fire at Villa, but with Martinez staying put for the long term is music to everyone’s ears.
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Now, it’s a case of trying to win that trophy with Villa because the club is going through its best period in a very long time.
Champions League football is around the corner and Emery is still working his magic.
