Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and his wife Amanda Mandinha Martínez poses for photos at the Red Carpet prior 68th Ballon D'Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 28, 2024 in Paris, France., Emiliano Martinez #23 of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Emiliano Martínez and Amanda “Mandinha” Martínez in 2024; Emiliano Martínez during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Emiliano Martínez met his wife, Amanda “Mandinha” Martínez, as a teen at her parents’ London restaurant, while he was playing for Arsenal
Amanda owns a children’s interior design company and store in London, specializing in décor, clothing and toys
Emiliano keeps their children’s toys as good-luck charms, which inspired him during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win
No one is a bigger fan of World Cup star Emiliano Martínez than his wife, Amanda “Mandinha” Martínez (née Gama).
The Argentine professional soccer player met the interior designer in London as a teen, while he was playing for the Premier League club Arsenal.
They got married in London in 2017, and later welcomed two children: a son named Santi Martínez and a daughter named Ava Martínez.
So, who is Emiliano Martínez’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Amanda “Mandinha” Martínez and her relationship with the soccer star.
Amanda is from London
Emiliano Martínez and Amanda Mandinha Martínez attend the 67th Ballon D'Or Photocall at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 30, 2023 in Paris, France.
Emiliano Martínez and Amanda Mandinha Martínez attend the 67th Ballon D'Or Photocall at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 30, 2023 in Paris, France.
Amanda, who also goes by Mandinha, was born in London, but she has ties to Brazil and Portugal through her parents. Though Emiliano was born in Argentina, he moved to London at 17 and joined Arsenal shortly after.
In a July 2020 interview with The Guardian, the goalie admitted that he didn’t want to leave his family at the time. But the opportunity led to his career and a chance meeting with his future wife.
She met Emiliano at her parents’ restaurant
In a December 2022 interview for Telefe, Amanda recounted how she first met Emiliano at her parents’ restaurant in London, where she would work on the weekends while attending university.
Amanda revealed that the Arsenal team would often stop by the establishment, which included Emiliano, who was about 17 or 18 at the time.
She recalled them both being too shy to speak to each other, but also noticed that he would look away from her whenever they crossed paths.
Eventually, Amanda asked one of his friends why he wouldn’t say hello and she started to think he was being arrogant. Afterward, Emiliano sent her a message to let her know that he was, indeed, just shy and asked her out for coffee.
Amanda works as a children’s interior designer
Emiliano Martinez and Amanda Mandinha Martinez
Emiliano Martinez and Amanda Mandinha Martinez
According to her Instagram bio, Amanda works as an interior designer for infants’ and children’s rooms through her company, Misuenos Limited, which she founded in 2014.
She also owns a store called Muenos Kids in London that specializes in children’s clothing, toys and décor items.
She and Emiliano married in 2017
Emiliano and Amanda tied the knot in May 2017, according to her Instagram.
The ceremony was held at Brocket Hall, a stately home in England with luxury golf courses.
In another Instagram post detailing the highlights of their big day, Amanda wrote that she was “lucky enough to have married” her “soul mate” and “best friend.”
They have two kids
Emiliano Martinez and Amanda Mandinha Martinez with their kids Ava and Santi
Emiliano Martinez and Amanda Mandinha Martinez with their kids Ava and Santi
The couple have welcomed two children throughout their marriage.
Santi was born in June 2018, and Ava arrived three years later in June 2021.
In 2024, the goalie changed his shirt number to 23 because it represented both the day he won the 2022 World Cup and the day his son was born, per The Sun.
Amanda gave Emiliano their kids’ stuffed animals as lucky charms before the World Cup
When Emiliano played in the 2022 World Cup, his wife gave him two of their children’s toys to keep as good luck charms.
He told The Guardian that he still keeps the stuffed penguin from Santi and a stuffed giraffe from Ava in his locker room.
“I keep them with me everywhere I go,” he told the outlet in August 2024. “It gives me a little bit of motivation before every game. She [Mandinha] said: ‘You are going to bring the golden cup home.’ I was 40 days away from the family, and I did it.”
That year, Emiliano not only won the World Cup for Argentina, but also took home the award for the Golden Glove, among other accolades.