Emi Martinez of Argentina
Emi Martinez of Argentina(Image: (Photo by Tullio Puglia - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Emi Martinez claims that his heartache at losing the World Cup final with Argentina was a factor behind his decision to leave Aston Villa in the summer.
The goalkeeper, wanting a fresh start, joined Chelsea at the end of the transfer window after Villa had already signed their new No. 1, Zion Suzuki.
Signed from Parma, Suzuki was identified as Villa’s new starting goalkeeper for the present and future, with Martinez allowed to find a new club at the right price.
Juventus came in for Martinez for a second time during that summer window with only a couple of weeks remaining, but they signed former Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario instead.
With time ticking down for Martinez to find a new team, Robert Sanchez’s suspect performances for Chelsea pushed Xabi Alonso to bring him to the club.
Chelsea signed Martinez for £7.5 million, a move that suited all parties, and Martinez has explained that he wanted a new environment to work in to help him recover from losing the World Cup final in July.
"It took a lot out of me after losing a World Cup final; the pain stayed with me for a long time. I needed a fresh start at my club to get over the heartache I felt after that final,” he told ESPN Argentina.
"I come here [international duty] and honestly feel great, happy, full of energy, and that's what matters most."
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Villa helped provide Martínez with the platform to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world for a period of time, as he went on to win the World Cup with Lionel Messi in 2022.
Argentina are now preparing for Messi’s final appearance on Tuesday, with the legendary forward set to bid farewell to international football in a friendly against Benin at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
"Obviously, I tried to help as much as possible, and he knows that,” Martinez said. “We always talk about it, and it was one of the greatest honours of my career to help him achieve what he desired most, because he is the greatest player in history.
"He leaves a massive void, but there are lads here who have real personalities.
"I feel part of it, and on Tuesday I want to enjoy it and see him smile. We will try to cherish him in the little time we have left together."