Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, has revealed that he has been coping with pain in his right hand throughout the World Cup. He chose to forgo a recommended surgery to continue competing in the tournament.
“No, it still hurts every day. I knew it was going to hurt a lot. I avoided surgery,” Martínez shared on Friday.
“All the specialists I consulted told me I had to have surgery or I wouldn’t be able to play,” he added.
Martínez sustained a fractured ring finger on May 20 while warming up for the Europa League final as he prepared to face Freiburg with Aston Villa.
The injury prevented Martínez from training with his Argentina teammates during the initial stages of the World Cup, leading him to follow a specialized routine.
“Throughout the entire group stage, I couldn’t train with the group, which affected me because it’s something I love. Afterward, starting from Egypt, I was able to train normally and I feel much better,” he explained.
Despite the injury, Martínez has been a starting player for every game that Argentina has played in the 2026 World Cup.
He managed to secure two clean sheets in the group stage, contributing to a 3-0 win over Algeria and a 2-0 victory against Austria.
“Up until two days before the first match, I was playing with one hand; I looked like I had one arm. Now, as I continue and talk to people, I realize it’s all in my head. It doesn’t impact me at all. I don’t want to take the spotlight on the national team,” Martínez stated.
He is set to make his second consecutive World Cup final appearance after starting for Argentina when La Albiceleste triumphed over France in the 2022 tournament.
Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.