Read for 2 minutes21 Jul 2026 09:44 PM IST
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez Posted on Instagram Days after losing to Spain in the World Cup final, said he was wondering if it was time to step away from international football.
“I dreamed that we would win it again, I dreamed of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once again.
The truth is, pain is hard to explain. There are many things to ponder and how to move forward, and if it’s time to step aside. I’m sorry, I really tried to help my country and my teammates,” Martinez said.
Martínez is known for his performance of a lifetime in the 2022 World Cup finals, getting the better of elite strikers in the psychological battle during penalty kicks and being a showman in crucial moments. Some of his 11 saves against Spain on Sunday were routine, but Martinez’s celebrations and theatrics grabbed everyone’s attention.
Martinez, a key factor in Argentina’s two Copa America titles and 2022 World Cup title, was single-handedly responsible for keeping his team in the game, the Argentinian who had the most touches in the summit clash.
The Aston Villa keeper has played 67 times for his country and has had an excellent run at the 2026 World Cup, appearing in all of Argentina’s matches, conceding just 8 goals while keeping 2 clean sheets. He also won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2023 as well as 2024.
Meanwhile, fifteen members of Argentina’s 26-man World Cup roster, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, landed at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport on Monday in a chartered flight.
The team’s arrival comes after a 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, decided by a Ferran Torres goal.