Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez has assured Argentina supporters that he will recover from a finger injury in time for the national team’s World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper sustained a minor fracture of the ring finger on his right hand during warm-ups for the Europa League final, where Villa triumphed 3-0 over Freiburg to be crowned champions.
The experienced goalkeeper has been training apart from the squad at Argentina’s base in Kansas City and, as he stepped off the bus on Tuesday, he told fans: “I will make it.”
At 33, Martínez is coming off a strong season with Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League.
He was included in the Europa League Team of the Season.
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A champion from the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, Martínez was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, earning the Golden Glove as he contributed to his nation’s victory in the 2024 Copa América.
Argentina begins their title defense against Algeria in Kansas City, followed by matches against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, with the latter two games scheduled for Arlington, Texas.