How Emiliano Martinez once again became the world’s best goalkeeper
The best sports betting company 1xBet tells about the path of the Argentine national team goalkeeper to his dream.
Mirage chance at Arsenal
When you join London’s Arsenal at 17, the prospects are huge. But Emiliano Martinez’s path to success was not easy. Dibu was sent out on loan six times during his first seven seasons. He had local success at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolverhampton, and Reading, but it was at Getafe in Spain that he finally played for a top team.
At Arsenal, Martinez even won two trophies during the same period – he was the reserve goalkeeper in the FA Community Shield matches in 2014 and 2015. However, six games in the Premier League in seven years at the club indicate that Arsenal coaches did not have much faith in the Argentine.
Leaving on time
Emiliano got his chance in 2019/2020. Main goalkeeper Bernd Leno was out with an injury, and Dibu played 23 matches in all competitions – much more than in the 7 previous seasons. Our hero helped the Gunners win the FA Cup and then the FA Community Shield.
Mikel Arteta did not rely on Martinez in the new season. As a result, Aston Villa made a favorable offer to Arsenal and signed Dibu for 17.4 million euros. After this transfer, the goalkeeper reached the top level. In 2020/2021, Martinez’s saves helped Villa finish in 11th place, and fans recognized him as the season’s best player. Thanks to his performance for Aston Villa, Emi received a call-up to the Argentina national team and made his debut for La Albiceleste on June 3, 2021.
Emiliano Martinez truly showed his worth at 28, which is very late by football standards. The Argentinian had to wait a long time for world recognition, but now everyone knows about him as a standard of reliability during penalty shootouts. If Emiliano Martinez is in goal, the betting odds on Aston Villa or the Argentine national team go down.
Hero superpower
In 2011 and 2019, Dibu was called up to the national squad, but only as a reserve. But having become the main goalkeeper, he has long secured his status as the number one.
The Argentina national team won three major trophies, including the World Cup, with Martinez in goal. The goalkeeper’s role in these triumphs was recognized by the most significant awards: The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper in 2022, as well as the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Dibu beat the Colombians in the 2021 Copa America semifinals, the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and the French in the final, as well as the Ecuadorians in the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals. The opponents made 24 shots in these 4 series and scored only 12 times, while Dibu performed 9 saves.
You can’t do without luck in penalty shootouts. With such fortune, Emiliano Martinez could become a successful player in football betting. Still, it’s not just about luck. Matt Pyzdrowski, a former goalkeeper and writer for The Athletic, explains Dibu’s game secrets.
“Perhaps Martinez’s greatest skill is covering the farthest corners of the goal frame without leaving the ground too soon. His massive 195cm physique, timing, and leg strength allow him to easily reach the targets, even with accurate and powerful shots.”
Accept him for who he is
Martinez’s talent is undeniable, but his behavior often causes negative reactions – the outstanding goalkeeper does not always cope with his emotions. In some cases, Dibu apologized for his behavior, provoking opponents and fans of other teams.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes explained why the squad values Emiliano Martinez: “He doesn’t care about anything, he’s a phenomenon, he’s crazy. He is what you see. Emi doesn’t play a role.”
Mentally, Emiliano Martinez fits perfectly into the current Argentina national team. This squad can go overboard, but it’s all for the sake of victory and the entire country’s joy.
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