Emiliano Martinez has declared his next ambition is to end Aston Villa's long trophy drought, having helped Argentina end their own 36-year wait for World Cup glory. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who played a pivotal role in Argentina's success, described himself as a 'winner' who thrives on challenges.
Speaking on BT Sport's Mike Calvin’s Football People podcast, Martinez said he wants to leave a legacy and is determined to help Villa win silverware for the first time in decades. 'Winning a World Cup for Argentina after 36 years... that was a challenge. And now we need something for Aston Villa after 30 years? That’s a challenge,' he said.
Martinez reflected on the impact of Argentina's World Cup victory, noting that half of the country's children now aspire to be goalkeepers. 'I touched the sky like my dad would say. Half of the kids want to be Messi, half of the kids want to be a goalkeeper now,' he said, adding that individual awards do not satisfy him as much as inspiring the next generation.
The goalkeeper also spoke about his journey, emphasising that he was 'made, not born' a top-level goalkeeper. He credited his early loan moves and difficult moments for shaping his mentality. 'I made myself mentally strong, I made myself play out from the back,' he said.
Martinez stressed the importance of having strong motivations beyond material wealth, recalling how he secured his parents' financial future early in his career. 'I always wanted to be on the line for them. Even when I go through the easy ways, I wanted to be through the hard ways and make sure when I retire, I would say you know what, I gave my all,' he said.
