Emiliano Martinez In an interview with AFA Estudio, the official media channel of the Argentina national team, we reflected on Argentina’s victory at the last Qatar World Cup.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper remembered the best moments of the tournament.
The 2022 World Cup Final will be remembered as one of the greatest football matches ever played at the professional level.
it was classic and Martinez I believe the penalty shootout was an appropriately dramatic conclusion.
“It was a confidence that we built. Winning a penalty shootout gives you a lot of confidence. Don’t tell me why, it’s just a bonus.” Martinez I explained it to AFA Estudio.
“After the penalty shootout against the Netherlands, we beat Croatia, and then against France, ‘That’s it, we’re playing in the World Cup final.
“I’m going to play like I’m playing at home. I don’t care about people or the influence. I’m playing in the final of the World Cup. I enjoyed it and my teammates did the same. .
“I was in tears in the dressing room. Before I went on the pitch, I burst into tears. I told the players that I am proud of them and that no matter what happens, I will end my life in this match.
“It might not work, it might work, but I was going to let them do it all. They were all on the same page and swung the bat for all their teammates.”
Martinez Known as an expert in penalty savings for the past three years, he explained how. Lionel Messi He was one of the first to thank for his contribution after the penalty shootout win against the Netherlands.
“I collapsed and said ‘I finally won’. I have never suffered so much in a match. My first thought was that we played Croatia in the semi-finals. Croatia will be difficult, but we will face them.” It was the other party.” We were able to overcome it.” Martinez Said.
“It was 20 seconds of silence. The first thing I heard was, ‘Fuck you, you did it again. Help me.'”
“When I saw the look on his face, it was Leo. I told him, ‘Don’t be silly,’ and I hugged him and walked off the pitch with him, between tears and emotion.
Koro Muani They had a chance to win the World Cup final on one of the last kicks of the game, but Martinez It made a memorable stop in football history.
“Sometimes I look back and move so fast that I’m like, ‘I can’t believe he was so open.’ But it was so fast that there was no time to enjoy it. Martinez continued.
“He looked at me and if I came out quickly Ederson made Di Maria, he pokes it at me. Coming out at an angle, showing more of my near stick, when the moment of impact came, I opened up and my hands and feet went at the same time.
“I had a fall that left my adductor muscles open. Pilates helped me there.
“I could have saved a better shot, but in that moment, I had to calmly save this choice, so as not to despair….it was the hardest It was a conservation effort.”
Lionel Messi was the leader
it was no secret Messi He played a leading role in Qatar’s Argentinian team, perhaps dating back to his Copa America success.
he is the driving force behind their success, Martinez Winning the trophy felt like a partial repayment for that.
“We said at the Copa America that he had to win. I did it for my country first and then for him,” he added.
“For me, being world champion was not an individual achievement. I wanted a collective for my country, but doing it for Leo was the finishing touch. Because Because he deserves it more than anyone else.
“Because of his humility and what he produced for the country, it’s a bonus to have him in front of us.
“With Julian, Enzo and Mac Allister, every new player that came in was adapting and he knew what he had to do to break free and make a difference.
“If I write him a message or talk to him, he does everything. He does everything for us and we do everything for him.”
The IFAB has changed the rules for penalty shootouts, many of which focus on goalkeeper behavior. Martinez It has been seen as a catalyst for change.
But while many consider him a penalty specialist, the former Arsenal stopper believes he’s just taking advantage of the pressure spot-kick players face.
“In training, you can take 72 penalties and score 72 of them. At the beginning, the goals get smaller…and I use that to my advantage,” he concludes.
