Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez expressed his eagerness to compete in the 2026 World Cup. He made these remarks while participating in a video conference from an Argentinian Football Association event.
Argentina will enter this larger tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as the defending champions, having won the 2022 trophy in Qatar. During that tournament, Martínez showcased his remarkable skills with key saves in shootouts against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in the final.
As he looked ahead to Friday’s draw, Martínez shared, “I’m not alone in this. Most of us who’ve participated in a World Cup feel those butterflies in our stomachs—a sensation that’s hard to describe. But I find myself more excited about this upcoming one than the last.”
He continued, “Winning individual awards or accolades with my club is the icing on the cake, yet the pinnacle of my career has always been representing the Argentina national team.”
At 33 years old, Martínez is the clear first choice for his country.
He also made five critical saves during Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in the 2024 Copa América final.
Regarding his performances for the national team, Martínez noted, “When I step on the field for Argentina, I feel as if the ball simply won’t find its way into the net.”
“I have the entire nation and my family supporting me,” he added.
This season, Martínez has recorded four clean sheets in 11 Premier League matches for Villa.
Despite a packed schedule ahead, he affirmed his readiness for the World Cup, stating, “I have a strong physique. I can play every two days. I plan to compete in 60 matches as if there’s no World Cup looming at the season’s end, because otherwise, it’s challenging to be at my best.”