Emiliano Martínez

Argentina's Emiliano Martinez won the golden glove for the best goalkeeper at the FIFA World Cup following a momentous performance against France in the ...

- ⦿ No goalkeeper has made more saves in FIFA World Cup shootouts than the 30-year-old keeper, with four.

There was no doubt, however, that Emiliano Martinez helped inspire Argentina to their historic third World Cup title in the 2022 final in Qatar as he produced heroics both through the match and also in the decisive penalty shootout.

he did his job." "He did what a goalkeeper has to do," he said. “That wasn’t on. “I thought it was a pretty despicable thing to do [throwing the ball away]. World Cup Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) - FIFA World Cup 2022

Argentina goalkeeper has previous form saving from the spot, and however contentious, is the ultimate difference-maker.

Although his antics during these deciders may not be to everyone’s taste, it is worth remembering that we got to witness them on Sunday only because of his remarkable save from Kolo Muani in the final minute of extra time. It will be intriguing to see whether football’s lawmakers crack down on the kind of shenanigans for which the name “Martínez” has in recent years become a byword. It was Fernandes, not Ronaldo, who sent the ball sailing high over the bar, prompting an inflammatory Martínez jig in front of the Stretford End. Argentina’s goalkeeper has no shortage of previous in the field of gamesmanship and it could be seen on Sunday even before he tried to mess with Tchouaméni’s mind. Martínez was clearly playing to the gallery for yuks but, as visual metaphors for this stained tournament went, one could argue it could scarcely have been more inappropriately appropriate. Alone with his thoughts, Tchouaméni made the long walk from the centre-circle while Martínez stood in wait, ball in hand as he whipped the crowd behind the goal into a frenzy.

Argentina goalie explains vulgar World Cup gesture, gets roasted over 'despicable' shootout tactic.

“This is a moment I’ve always dreamed of living, I have no words for it. “I thought it was a pretty despicable thing to do [throwing the ball away]. He brilliantly denied France’s Kingsley Coman with a diving left save in the performance. He was joined at the trophy ceremony by teammate Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball, as well as Enzo Fernandez, the winner of the Best Young Player award. Martinez raised eyebrows during the postgame ceremony when he was seen holding the trophy near his groin, appearing to thrust his hips. “That wasn’t on.

Argentina goalie Emiliano Martinez explained his post-match act that raised eyebrows after the World Cup fi...

"This is a moment I've always dreamt of living, I have no words for it. Our destiny was to suffer. "We suffered a lot. "I did it because the French booed me," Martinez told Argentine radio station La Red of the gesture, per multiple reports. READ MORE:

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the World Cup and the Golden Glove in Qatar, and his agent is not ruling out a move.

The goalkeeper is due to return to club side Aston Villa after the World Cup. However, the goalkeeper's heroics in Qatar may well have attracted admirers and his agent's comments suggest he could be tempted by a transfer. Martinez played a key role in Argentina's World Cup triumph, particularly in the final when he made a vital save from Randal Kolo Muani in extra-time.