Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sets retirement date

(Dan Tri) - The best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martinez, announced that he will retire if Argentina successfully defends the championship title at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico.

Goalkeeper Martinez is renowned for his ability to save penalties. It was his talent that helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after defeating France in a penalty shootout in the final.

Emiliano Martinez received the award for best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup (Photo: Getty).

Sharing on the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) homepage, Martinez affirmed: "Is there any national team that has won two consecutive World Cups? If I become a two-time world champion with the Argentine team, I will retire. I promise you."

The 1992-born goalkeeper's decision to retire was said to have been sparked before the 2022 World Cup, when he was 30 years old. The Argentine goalkeeper admitted that after winning the final match against France, he considered "hanging up his gloves" at that time.

"I walked into the dressing room with an indescribable emotion and saw my teammates crying. At that time, I told them that I was going to retire because I had achieved everything, I had touched my dream," goalkeeper Martinez added.

Emiliano Martinez had an impressive 2024, playing a major role in successfully defending the Copa America title with Argentina, and he had excellent performances for Aston Villa in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

This season, Martinez has achieved much success when he was named the best goalkeeper in the world at the FIFA The Best awards ceremony held in Doha (Qatar) on December 18. This is the second time the goalkeeper of the Argentine team has received this award, the first time in 2022.

Emiliano Martinez received the 2024 FIFA Best Goalkeeper award (Photo: Getty).

Furthermore, Martinez was also honored with the Yashin Trophy, an award he received in 2023 by the French sports magazine, France Football . Martinez is the first player in the world to win this prestigious award twice.

At the age of 32, Martinez still has the ability to play at the top level for at least a few more seasons and he is expected to help coach Unai Emery's team finish in the top 4 in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/thu-thanh-emiliano-martinez-chot-ngay-chia-tay-su-nghiep-20241220093607864.htm