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Article Summary
Emiliano Martínez, also known as Dibu Martínez, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Argentina national team. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on 2 September 1992, Martínez rose through the ranks at Arsenal before establishing himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers at Aston Villa. He was the hero of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, winning the Golden Glove award. He has also won two Copa América titles (2021, 2024), the Finalissima (2022), and has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper twice (2022, 2024) and won the Yashin Trophy twice (2023, 2024). In 2026, he was selected for his second World Cup as Argentina’s starting goalkeeper. Known as a specialist in saving penalty kicks, he is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His net worth is estimated at approximately $48 million (£37.5 million).
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero was born on 2 September 1992 in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He grew up in a poor family in Mar del Plata. His father, Alberto Martínez, was a football coach, and his mother, Susana Martínez, was a housewife. Emiliano has four siblings, consisting of three brothers and one sister.
Martínez’s grandfather fled Spain during the Franco regime. From a young age, Martínez showed a passion for football and began his youth career at Independiente in 2008. At the age of 17, he moved to England to join Arsenal‘s academy.
Club Career
Arsenal (2010-2020)
Martínez joined Arsenal’s academy in 2010. He spent ten years at the club, though much of that time was spent on loan at various English and Spanish clubs. He made his senior debut for Arsenal in the League Cup in 2012. During his time at Arsenal, he had loan spells at Oxford United (2012), Sheffield Wednesday (2013-2014), Rotherham United (2015), Wolverhampton Wanderers (2015-2016), Getafe (2017-2018), and Reading (2019). He made only 15 league appearances for Arsenal.
Aston Villa (2020-Present)
In September 2020, Martínez joined Aston Villa for a fee reported to be around £20 million. He made an immediate impact, saving a penalty on his debut against Sheffield United. He quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and became a fan favourite.
In August 2024, Martínez signed a new contract with Aston Villa until 2029. He has made over 213 league appearances for the club and helped Villa qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the 2023-24 season.
International Career
Martínez represented Argentina at the U17 and U20 levels. He made his senior debut for the Argentina national team in 2021.
He was Argentina’s starting goalkeeper at the 2021 Copa América, which Argentina won. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Martínez was instrumental in Argentina’s triumph. He saved crucial penalties in the quarter-final shootout against the Netherlands and made a stunning save in the final against France in the dying moments of extra time. He was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Martínez also started for Argentina in the 2024 Copa América, helping the team win a second consecutive title. He saved two penalties in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador and kept five clean sheets throughout the tournament, including in the final. He was awarded the Copa América Golden Glove.
In June 2026, Martínez was selected as Argentina’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup. As of July 2026, he has earned 65 caps for Argentina.
Major Achievements
Martínez’s trophy cabinet is one of the most impressive for any goalkeeper:
- FIFA World Cup: 2022
- Copa América: 2021, 2024
- Finalissima: 2022
- UEFA Europa League: 2019-20 (with Arsenal)
- FA Cup: 2014, 2015, 2020 (with Arsenal)
- FA Community Shield: 2014, 2015, 2020 (with Arsenal)
Individual awards include:
- The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: 2022, 2024 (first two-time winner)
- Yashin Trophy: 2023, 2024 (joint-record two-time winner)
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2022
- Copa América Golden Glove: 2021, 2024
Personal Life
Since 2017, Emiliano Martínez has been married to Amanda Gama. They have two children together. Martínez is known by the nickname “Dibu”, which comes from a character in the Argentine children’s television series Mi Familia es un Dibujo.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Emiliano Martínez is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. He has been selected as the starting goalkeeper for the tournament.
In the transfer market, Martínez has been linked with a move to Juventus. According to reports in June 2026, Martínez has verbally agreed to personal terms with the Italian club on a three-year contract worth €5.5 million net per season. However, he remains under contract with Aston Villa until 2029, and any potential transfer would require an agreement between the clubs.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 FIFA World Cup | Selected as Argentina’s starting goalkeeper |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper | Won (second time) |
| 2024 | Yashin Trophy | Won (second time) |
| 2024 | Copa América | Won |
| 2024 | Copa América Golden Glove | Won |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup | Won |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup Golden Glove | Won |
| 2022 | The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper | Won (first time) |
| 2022 | Finalissima | Won |
| 2021 | Copa América | Won |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| 2008 | Joined Independiente’s youth academy |
| 2010 | Moved to Arsenal’s academy in England |
| 2012 | Made senior debut for Arsenal |
| 2012-2019 | Loan spells at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Getafe, and Reading |
| 2020 | Signed for Aston Villa |
| 2021 | Made senior debut for Argentina; won Copa América |
| 2022 | Won World Cup with Argentina; won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper |
| 2023 | Won Yashin Trophy (first time) |
| 2024 | Signed new Aston Villa contract until 2029; won Copa América; won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper (second time); won Yashin Trophy (second time) |
| 2026 | Selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Clean Sheets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 2012-2020 | 15 | 5 | Won FA Cup (3x), Europa League |
| Aston Villa | 2020-Present | 213 | 66 | 213 apps in all competitions |
International Caps: 65 (as of July 2026)
FAQs
How old is Emiliano Martínez?
Emiliano Martínez was born on 2 September 1992 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, which makes him 33 years old as of 2026.
What is Emiliano Martínez’s net worth?
Emiliano Martínez’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $48 million (£37.5 million) as of 2026. He earns an annual salary of approximately $7.5 million at Aston Villa.
Which club does Emiliano Martínez play for?
Emiliano Martínez plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Aston Villa. He signed for the club in September 2020 and has a contract until 2029.
Has Emiliano Martínez won the World Cup?
Yes. Martínez was the starting goalkeeper for Argentina when they won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Is Emiliano Martínez going to the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Martínez has been selected as Argentina’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup.
What is Emiliano Martínez’s height?
Emiliano Martínez stands at 1.95 metres (6 feet 5 inches).
What trophies has Emiliano Martínez won?
Martínez has won the FIFA World Cup (2022), two Copa América titles (2021, 2024), the Finalissima (2022), the UEFA Europa League (2020), three FA Cups, and three Community Shields.
What individual awards has Emiliano Martínez won?
Martínez has won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper twice (2022, 2024), the Yashin Trophy twice (2023, 2024), the World Cup Golden Glove (2022), and the Copa América Golden Glove twice (2021, 2024).
Is Emiliano Martínez married?
Yes. Emiliano Martínez has been married to Amanda Gama since 2017.
What is Emiliano Martínez’s nickname?
Martínez is known by the nickname “Dibu”, which comes from a character in the Argentine children’s television series Mi Familia es un Dibujo.
Key Takeaways
- Emiliano Martínez is an Argentine goalkeeper born on 2 September 1992 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
- He spent ten years at Arsenal (2010-2020) before joining Aston Villa in 2020, where he has become one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
- He was the hero of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, saving crucial penalties and winning the Golden Glove.
- He has won two Copa América titles (2021, 2024) and the Finalissima (2022) with Argentina.
- He has won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper twice (2022, 2024) and the Yashin Trophy twice (2023, 2024).
- He has been selected for the 2026 World Cup as Argentina’s starting goalkeeper.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $48 million (£37.5 million).
Conclusion
Emiliano Martínez’s journey from a poor neighbourhood in Mar del Plata to the pinnacle of world football is a story of perseverance, self-belief, and extraordinary talent. After spending a decade in the shadows at Arsenal, he seized his opportunity at Aston Villa and has never looked back. His heroic performances for Argentina, particularly in the 2022 World Cup, have cemented his place in football history. Known for his penalty-saving prowess and larger-than-life personality, Martínez has become a national hero in Argentina and a beloved figure at Villa Park. In 2026, he prepares to lead his country once again at the World Cup, ready to add another chapter to his remarkable story. With a trophy cabinet that includes the World Cup, two Copa América titles, and individual accolades such as two Yashin Trophies and two The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards, Emiliano Martínez has rightfully earned his place among the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
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