Aston Villa’s Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (known as ‘Dibu’) has spoken to the Guardian, stating that despite being misconstrued as a provocateur, he is simply driven by winning.
Before the start of the season, Martínez changed his club number from 1 to 23, the day his son (6 years old) Santi was born, and also because he wore this number while winning four trophies with Argentina, including this summer’s Copa América. Martinez also carries the toys his wife gave him before the World Cup (Santi’s penguin and daughter Ava’s giraffe) as good luck charms. “I take them everywhere, they motivate me before every game,” he says.
Martinez is a gentle, family man, a stark contrast to his on-field persona. He is aggressive on the pitch – at least that is the image many have of him. During the World Cup, he saved a last-second chance from France, denied Coman in the penalty shootout, and psychologically pressured Tchouaméni into missing his penalty. However, Martinez points out that this isn’t because he’s a natural provocateur: “It can happen, the adrenaline starts flowing and sometimes you can’t control it, it comes to you even if you don’t look for it. Sometimes people think I’m a provocateur, but no, I’m a normal person, a family man, but when it comes to winning or losing, I give everything to win.”
“Am I misunderstood?” Martinez asks. “Those who think I’m a provocateur probably don’t know me. If you ask all my teammates – at the club or with the national team – they know that I give everything for everyone. The only thing I want is for the club and the national team to do their best.”
Martinez has been involved in controversies in his career. To this he says: “Everyone has their own opinion. I never try to provoke fans, never. If you stay calm, don’t insult anyone, any faith, I think you can do whatever you want. I don’t swear, I don’t insult, I just want to help my team, that’s all. I don’t cross the line, never.”
Aston Villa is set to face Arsenal in the Premier League. Last season, Martinez saved a close-range effort from Trossard against Arsenal, a moment that remains vivid in his memory. Last season, Villa beat Arsenal twice, impacting the Gunners’ title hopes. Martinez says: “Against Arsenal, it’s just a game.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Martinez says: “We’re unlikely to challenge (for the Premier League title), but we can shock Europe in continental competitions, especially with our manager. He took Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals, won the Europa League four times. This is Villa’s first time in the Champions League for many years, but when you have a manager and players like we do, you can go all the way.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Martinez once again shows his extreme desire for trophies: “I say it loud in training: ‘We need to win a trophy or at least get to a final’. This team and these fans deserve it. Obviously, I love it here, but I won’t stay at a club where I don’t see progress because I want to win honours, I want to win, and if possible, I want to keep working to become the best goalkeeper in the world (no ‘one of the best’ in the original quote)!”
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