MartÃnez: "I just want to win, I'm no show-off"
Emiliano MartÃnez, Aston Villa's Argentine goalkeeper, is known for his fiery on-field persona and his penchant for mind games, but he insists his actions are purely driven by a desire to win. Despite his sometimes controversial behaviour, the 31-year-old is a devoted family man, carrying cuddly toys gifted by his wife, Mandinha, as mascots in the dressing room. These "good luck charms", along with images of his children and career highlights adorning his shin pads, provide motivation before each match.
MartÃnez, a World Cup winner with Argentina, believes his actions on the pitch are a natural response to the pressure of the game. "I don't think about it, I just do it," he explains. "It's something that can happen, the adrenaline kicks in and sometimes you just can't control it. I don't look for it, it just comes."
He dismisses any notion of showboating, stating: "When you ask all of my teammates, those in the national team, I do everything for my team, I try to help everyone in the club. The only thing that I want is the best for my club and country."
MartÃnez's competitive spirit is evident in his commitment to winning at all costs, but he insists he never intends to antagonise supporters. "I never try to wind up fans, I never do that," he clarifies. "I just try to slow things down when the game is against us; I try to kick the ball as hard as I can to the other side."
However, MartÃnez's on-field antics have occasionally landed him in trouble. In the Europa Conference League quarter-final against Lille, he was booked twice for gamesmanship during a penalty shootout victory, narrowly avoiding a red card thanks to a technicality in UEFA rules. "I thought I was off," he admits, laughing. "I was actually asking the ballboy: 'Can you please give me the ball?' Then I was booked for that."
Despite his sometimes divisive personality, MartÃnez enjoys strong support from Aston Villa fans, who chant about him being the best goalkeeper in the world. He has been likened to legendary goalkeepers like Lev Yashin, Gianluigi Buffon, Dino Zoff, and Ubaldo Fillol, a testament to his exceptional talents.
MartÃnez's focus now lies on achieving success with Villa, a club he sees as a family. "I love it here, obviously, but I wouldn't stay at a club where I don't see progress," he states. "Because I want to achieve things, I want to win things, I want to keep trying to be the best goalie in the world if I can."
The Argentine keeper has already experienced success with Villa, winning the club's first double over Arsenal since 1931, but he is eager for more silverware. He believes the team has the potential to make a significant impact in Europe this season, particularly with the guidance of manager Unai Emery, a proven winner with a vast experience in European competitions.
MartÃnez, who recently signed a new contract extending his stay at Villa Park until 2029, is driven by a constant desire to improve. While he acknowledges his performances have not always been perfect, he is determined to reach even higher levels, with the ultimate goal of securing the Premier League Golden Glove.
His commitment to his craft and his insatiable desire to win make MartÃnez a formidable force between the sticks. Whether you admire him or despise him, there's no denying his impact on the game. As he himself puts it: "I just want to win the game."
