Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, has said he would retire from international football if he won a second straight World Cup.
Martínez told BPlay (h/t Mundo Albiceleste) that younger players need to be given an opportunity. “If we win two World Cups in a row, that’s it, I’m retiring from the national team. We have to give way to other young players,” he said.
The Aston Villa stopper also looked back on the emotions of winning another World Cup. “There is not going to be another event like this. We all saw Argentina winning the world cup. A Seven Year Old Kid Already Knows What He Went Through. You’re going to be happy and celebrate, but not like before.”
Martínez, whose pivotal stop on France’s Kolo Muani helped seal Argentina’s 2022 success, is still committed to developing his craft. He also shared details about his surprising routine before the final, stating that he played Call of Duty with friends before facing France in the final.
Martínez is intent on adding more medals to his cabinet before turning to his future at an international level with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.