By Edgardo Avelar
Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez fully trust the Argentina national teambut it is not trusted. On the eve of the grand final of the 2026 World Cup against Spain, the goalkeeper preferred to leave the spotlight aside: “Many things could be said, but the first and most important thing is to win,” he stated at a press conference.
The Albiceleste is on the verge of a historic two-time championship. If they defeat the “Spanish Navy”, they will achieve something that has not happened for 64 years, when Pelé’s Brazil lifted the cups in Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962. Despite the information, Martínez assures that the team does not think about legacies.
“It hurts every day, they told me I had to have surgery”
Despite having a fracture, Dibu Martínez tells how he avoided surgery to play in the World Cup? pic.twitter.com/7e3GB4HbFo
— ESPN.com.mx (@ESPNmx) July 18, 2026
The controversial Aston Villa goalkeeper let out his most human side: “We don’t come across as naive or modest; we prefer to keep our emotions anonymous. Even so, I can confess that sometimes I cry just thinking about what we have achieved.”
The ordeal of Dibu: He played the World Cup with an injured hand
The road to the final was not easy. Martínez revealed that he has had to make an extreme sacrifice to defend the South American goal due to a serious hand injury.
The worst moment: “Until two days before the first game I threw myself with one hand as if he were a man with one arm,” he confessed.
Recovery: The situation improved after the round of 16, allowing you to train normally.
The Mar del Plata goalkeeper assured that he faces Sunday’s game with complete peace of mind. Its main objective is to transmit security from the bottom so that its companions display your best football. “His big wish for Sunday is to keep a clean sheet.”
“IT’S NOT ONLY 6 YEARS”
Dibu Martínez recalled his career in the Argentine national team’s goal: from the youth teams to reaching the senior team with Scaloni. pic.twitter.com/DUzXLobz1L
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) July 18, 2026
An Argentina without individualism
For “Dibu”, the true strength of the current world champions lies in the collective and not in the individualities.
“It matters to me that my teammates and the coach trust me,” said the goalkeeper.
Furthermore, he expressed that his greatest desire is that the new generations Remember him in the future as a clear example of sacrifice and non-public improvement.
Praise for Spain and a dart to Qatar 2022
When analyzing his rival, Martínez praised Luis de la Fuente’s approach. He warned that Spain is much more than the magic of its young star, Lamine Yamal, and highlighted the collective functioning of the Hispanic team.
To close, the goalkeeper left a phrase that ignited the debate: he confessed that he is enjoying this 2026 World Cup much more than the Qatar 2022 one. This will be the fifth final he has played defending the Albiceleste goal, a stage where he feels more comfortable than ever.AC.
Continue reading:
-Vozinha is “crowned” on Instagram: the Cape Verde goalkeeper surpasses Casillas, Keylor Navas and Dibu Martínez
– Dibu Martínez issues a warning before the duel against Cape Verde: “I will be able to save and train normally”
– Dibu Martínez continues to be among the elite of world football
