Emiliano Martínez is an Argentine goalkeeper. He plays for Aston Villa in England and the Argentina national team. He started at Independiente’s youth system, then moved to Arsenal in 2010. At Arsenal, he mostly sat on the bench and went on loan to several clubs. He finally broke into the starting lineup in 2019, helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and Community Shield. In September 2020, he transferred to Aston Villa for £20 million. In his sixth season at Villa, he won the Europa League.
For Argentina, Martínez played in under‑17 and under‑20 matches from 2009 to 2011. He made his senior debut in 2021. He won the 2021 Copa América and received the Golden Glove award. He then won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and was again voted the tournament’s best goalkeeper. He also won the 2024 Copa América, earning the Golden Glove for the third time. He was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper twice, in 2022 and 2024, a record.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Emiliano Martínez
His Name ‘Damián’ Came from a Post Office Error
When Emiliano Martínez mother registered him at the post office, the clerk accidentally reversed his names – it should have been Emiliano Damián. She didn’t want to wait another 2‑3 hours to fix it, so the mistake stuck. As a kid, he was teased because ‘Damián’ is also the name of the demon child from The Omen.
Hides Stuffed Animals in His Shin Pads
During the 2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martínez kept two tiny teddy bears inside his shin pads. His wife gave them as good‑luck charms with the message: “You will bring the trophy home.” He also travels with stuffed penguins and giraffes from his children and ‘talks’ to them before matches. A goalkeeper with furry friends.
Master of Psychological Warfare
Before facing Virgil van Dijk in the World Cup quarterfinal shootout, Emiliano Martínez told him, “I’m going to eat you alive.” He then told Aurélien Tchouaméni he knew exactly how he played at Monaco. He studies FIFA rulebooks for loopholes and uses small distractions to rattle penalty takers. A mind‑game specialist.
Nickname ‘Dibu’ Comes from a Cartoon
As a child, he was covered in freckles and looked exactly like a character named ‘Dibu’ from the Argentine animated series Mi familia es un dibujo. The nickname followed him throughout his career. In Argentina, almost no one calls him Emiliano – he’s simply ‘Dibu.’ A cartoon lookalike became a national hero.
From Heartbroken Fan to National Hero
Before becoming a World Cup winner, Emiliano Martínez was just another devastated Argentine fan. He watched the 2014 final loss to Germany at home with his family. In 2018, when France knocked Argentina out, he was still a spectator. The journey from watching on TV to lifting the trophy himself is his greatest pride.
Six Loans and a Decade on the Bench
Few realise how close he came to quitting. He was loaned out six times – to Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves, Getafe, and Reading. After a terrible spell at Getafe in 2017, he seriously considered retiring. He sat on Arsenal’s bench for ten years, playing just 15 league games, before finally getting his chance in 2020.
Childhood Sweethearts and a Sick Child
He met his wife, Amanda ‘Mandinha’ Gama, while at Arsenal. They married in 2017 and have two children. His son was born with a health condition requiring ongoing medical care. Emiliano Martínez has said everything he does on the pitch is for his family – to ensure his son gets the best treatment possible. A father first.
World Cup Gloves Raised $45,000 for Charity
The gloves he wore during the 2022 World Cup final – the same ones that saved crucial penalties – were auctioned for $45,000. All proceeds went to the Hospital Garrahan in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s leading children’s hospital, specifically for paediatric cancer treatment. A keeper who keeps giving, even after the final whistle.
The ‘Crotch Grab’ Celebration Had a Deeper Story
After winning the Golden Glove, Martínez made a vulgar gesture toward French fans. He later explained that French supporters had been whistling and booing him throughout the match. In response, his Argentine teammates and their wives posted photos mimicking the gesture as a show of solidarity. Provoked, not unprovoked.
Refuses to Use His Father’s Surname
Martínez does not use his father’s surname (Alberto Martínez). He has spoken openly about his father abandoning the family when he was young. His mother raised him and his siblings alone. Choosing to be known simply as ‘Emiliano Martínez’ (or ‘Dibu’) is his way of honouring the parent who stayed.
FAQs
Q. Why is Emiliano Martínez called “Dibu”?
A. The nickname “Dibu” comes from a cartoon character he resembled as a child.
Q. Which major trophies has Martínez won with Argentina?
A. Martínez has won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América with Argentina.
Q. When did Martínez join Aston Villa?
A. Martínez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in September 2020.
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