Emi Martinez is the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was a vital component in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, delivering a number of stunning saves and game-changing moments to lead the South American nation to their third global crown.
Martinez was superb in two penalty shootouts and made a crucial save during extra time of Argentina’s final against France before Argentina won on penalties.
“My family, Aston Villa, and a lot of people from the Argentine side helped me in this,” Martinez said as he accepted the trophy in Paris. It’s always been a desire of mine to play for the national team.
“People frequently ask me about my childhood dream goalie. My parents are my role models since I seen them working really hard. My mother spends eight hours a day cleaning buildings.”
Martinez’s antics during his team’s celebration sparked a public spat with Kylian Mbappe, the star of the vanquished France who was the target of several of Martinez’s jokes. Each player has now played down any proof clashes.
Since then, he has come back to Villa, where he excelled in their most recent 2-0 victory over Everton.
Emi Martinez wins the trophy, but Mbappe couldn’t hide his feelings
Emiliano Martinez won the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award on Monday nightPhotographs of Kylian Mbappe reveal him with a thunderous expression.
Both athletes were in Paris for the awards event honoring the year’s top performances. Argentina dominate following their World Cup victory in Qatar, with Lionel Messi taking home the top men’s prize and Lionel Scaloni named coach of the year.
Martinez won the goalkeeping prize, defeating Yassine Bounou of Morocco and Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid. Once Messi finished speaking, the cameras cut to Mbappe, who was sat next to his colleague for Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe’s face was stony, and it’s possible that he was unaware that the camera was on him. He was unable to conceal his emotions. After Argentina’s victory in the World Cup final, Martinez savagely insulted the PSG striker in an effort to incite animosity between the two.