B2145 words1:08Story British AccentPublished Jul 22, 2026 · Updated Jul 24, 2026

0:00

Before the 2026 World Cup, doctors told Martínez his broken finger needed an operation.

He chose to refuse because surgery meant missing the entire tournament.

So the thirty-three-year-old goalkeeper played every match with pain hidden inside his glove.

He kept his injury a secret and told almost no one about it.

Martínez started all seven of Argentina's matches and kept two clean sheets.

His amazing saves helped carry the defending champions past Switzerland in the quarterfinal.

He then guided them past England in the semifinal with great strength.

They fought all the way to the final match against Spain.

In the final, Spain won 1-0 after extra time.

#10

Nobody could blame the goalkeeper because his tournament performance was truly heroic.

#11

Afterwards, an exhausted Martínez hinted that his international career might be ending.

#12

If this was his goodbye, he finished it entirely on his own terms.

Recommended Courses

Write a review

Emiliano Martínez: Playing Through the Pain