Emiliano Martinez continues to shine on the international stage

Despite the topic being one that is up for debate, Aston Villa fans will continue to claim (and quite rightly!) that they have the best goalkeeper in world football. Emi Martinez claimed the Golden Glove award for Best goalkeeper of the tournament last night following Argentina's victory against Colombia to make it two Copa America trophies on the spin.

Martinez conceded just one goal throughout the tournament and made several crucial saves along the way. Having been the hero in the quarter-final win over Ecuador having saved two of the four spot-kicks in the penalty shoot-out his performances in the next two rounds were more than good enough to ensure Argentina kept the clean sheets required. His record for Argentina is simply outstanding. The Villa number one has conceded just 17 goals and kept 33 clean sheets from the 45 games he has played for his country. In that time, he has won a World Cup, two Copa America titles and a Finalisimma trophy. Plus, the three Golden Glove awards to his name.

His antics are often a reason for people that are not followers of Villa or Argentina to dislike him but his club and country have nothing but love for 'Dibu'. Many have claimed that a goalkeeper of such class and success internationally should be more ambitious when it comes to his club career. However, Villa fans do not need to fear that he may look for a move away as he has repeatedly spoken of his love for the club and for his dream to be playing Champions League football at Villa Park.

""I love the club and I have been here for nearly four years. I want to play in the Champions League with Aston Villa.""

- Emi Martinez (speaking in October 2023)

The game itself was won by Inter striker Lautaro Martinez late in extra time. 112 minutes were on the clock and penalties were looking increasingly likely (which Argentina would likely have won with Martinez in goal!) when Martinez broke through the Colombian defence, latched onto a through ball and smashed the ball into the far corner.

Argentina captain and legend Lionel Messi left the pitch in tears halfway through the second half after picking up a nasty ankle injury sustained when trying to chase down a Colombian attack. Thankfully for Messi, he was able to recover enough in order to join the full-time celebrations.

For Emi Martinez, the end of the tournament means he will not have time away to relax and recover before flying back to Birmingham to join his Villa teammates at Bodymoor Heath. It is likely that Martinez will be given a two-week break before being asked to return to training with the rest of the Villa squad.

Villa will hope that Martinez's continued success on the international stage will prove the same when he puts the Villa shirt on once more in the Premier League and of course the Champions League next season.

There are great goalkeepers in world football like Ederson, Alisson and Manuel Neuer, but there is only one Emi Martinez!

UTV