Emiliano Martínez, known widely as Emi Martinez, is the Argentine goalkeeper who turned penalty-saving into an art form during Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph. From his early days at Arsenal to becoming Aston Villa’s No. 1 and a national hero, his career path is marked by patience, big-game performances, and a polarising presence on the pitch.
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on 2 September 1992, Martínez began his football journey at Independiente before moving to Europe as a teenager. He spent a decade at Arsenal, mostly as a understudy, but his breakthrough came in 2020 after a short spell as first‑choice following Bernd Leno’s injury. That summer he joined Aston Villa for a fee that could rise to £20 million, and he has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers.
On the international stage, Martínez has won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 Copa América, and the 2024 Copa América with Argentina. His penalty‑saving record in knockout tournaments is exceptional: he saved three spot kicks in the 2021 Copa América semi‑final, two in the 2022 World Cup quarter‑final, one in the final, and two in the 2024 Copa América quarter‑final. He was awarded the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup and also won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award for 2022.
Which clubs has Emiliano Martínez played for?
Aston Villa (Premier League)
Goalkeeper
Argentina – 2022 FIFA World Cup winner
33 (born 2 Sept 1992) / 1.95 m
- Emiliano Martínez rose from backup goalkeeper at Arsenal to become a world‑class starter at Aston Villa and Argentina’s No. 1.
- His penalty‑saving heroics were pivotal in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, especially in the final against France.
- Known for his confident—sometimes controversial—persona on and off the pitch, increasing his marketing value.
- Despite strong performances, transfer rumors (notably Juventus) persist, though no official bid has been confirmed as of early 2025.
- He has saved penalties in five major shootouts: 2021 Copa América semi‑final (3), 2022 World Cup quarter‑final (2), 2022 World Cup final (1), 2024 Copa América quarter‑final (2).
- Martínez kept clean sheets in the 2021 Copa América final against Brazil and the 2022 Finalissima against Italy.
- His Premier League record with Aston Villa: 228 appearances, 66 clean sheets, 668 saves (as of February 2025).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero |
| Date of Birth | 2 September 1992 (age 33) |
| Place of Birth | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| Height | 1.95 m |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Aston Villa (since 2020) |
| Premier League Appearances | 228 (as of Feb 2025) |
| Clean Sheets (PL) | 66 |
| International Caps | 40+ (with Argentina) |
| Major Trophy | 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2024 Copa América |
Is Emi Martinez transferring to Juventus?
Reports linking Emiliano Martínez to Juventus surfaced in January 2025, but as of early 2025 no formal offer or official statement has been made. The speculation appears to be based on agent comments and media rumors rather than concrete negotiations. Aston Villa’s strong financial position and Martínez’s long‑term contract—extended to June 2029 according to Transfermarkt—make a transfer unlikely without a major bid.
There is no confirmed bid from Juventus. The information available is limited to media speculation and agent remarks. Until an official announcement is made, the transfer remains unconfirmed.
Is there an Emi Martinez Netflix documentary or movie?
Emi Martinez and Netflix: What we know
No stand‑alone documentary titled after Emiliano Martínez has been released on Netflix. The Argentine goalkeeper appears in Netflix’s 2023 series The World Cup: The Rise of Argentina, which covers Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign. However, no standalone documentary dedicated to him is available on the platform.
Is there an Emi Martinez movie?
No official movie about Emi Martinez exists as of early 2025. The claim likely stems from fan‑made projects or confusion with the Netflix series. No production company has announced a biographical film.
To check for any content, search Netflix’s catalogue using keywords such as “Argentina World Cup” or “Emiliano Martínez.” As of February 2025, only the collective documentary appears.
Who is Emi Martinez’s son?
Emiliano Martínez has a son named Santi, a detail confirmed through social media and interviews. The provided research sources do not include verified details about his partner or other family members beyond a general mention. Martínez has said he feels “the whole country and my family behind me” when playing for Argentina, according to ESPN. Further personal information remains sparse in publicly available records.
The available research does not provide confirmed details about the names of Martínez’s partner, his son’s age, or the family’s private life. Any claims beyond “Santi” should be treated as unverified.
How did Emi Martinez’s career progress from youth to stardom?
- 2010 – Signs for Arsenal from Independiente.
- 2012–2014 – Loan spells at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United.
- 2015–2019 – Backup goalkeeper at Arsenal, occasional appearances.
- 2020 – Becomes Arsenal’s first‑choice goalkeeper after injury to Leno; then transferred to Aston Villa for £17 million (could rise to £20 million).
- 2021 – Establishes himself as Aston Villa starter; earns Argentina senior debut.
- 2022 – Wins FIFA World Cup with Argentina; saves two penalties in the final shootout.
- 2024 – Wins Copa América with Argentina; named best goalkeeper of the tournament.
- 2025 – Rumored transfer to Juventus; no official confirmation.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Emi Martinez?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name, date and place of birth, height (1.95 m), preferred foot. | Exact weight – no official figure found in the provided sources. |
| Current club: Aston Villa (since 2020), contract until June 2029. | Juventus transfer – no formal offer or official statement; speculation based on agent comments. |
| World Cup 2022 winner, Golden Glove, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 2022. | Netflix documentary – no standalone title; appears only in a collective series. |
| Penalty saves in major shootouts (2021 Copa América semi, 2022 World Cup QF and final, 2024 Copa América QF). | Family details – only name of son (Santi) is confirmed; partner’s name and other details not verified in sources. |
What is the context behind Emi Martinez’s rise and transfer speculation?
Martínez spent a decade at Arsenal mostly as a backup, but he seized his chance during the 2019/20 season when Bernd Leno’s injury opened the door. His consistent performances earned him a move to Aston Villa, where he became a fan favorite and eventually displaced older keepers in the Argentina squad.
His shootout saves against Colombia in the 2021 Copa América semifinals and against France in the 2022 World Cup final cemented his reputation as a big‑game goalkeeper. His celebratory antics—such as the Golden Glove trophy gesture—made him a polarizing figure but also increased his global profile.
Rumors about a move to Juventus reflect his status as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. However, Aston Villa’s strong financial position and his long‑term contract make a transfer unlikely without a major bid. As of early 2025, no concrete negotiations have been reported.
What do official sources say about Emi Martinez?
“Emiliano Martínez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Argentina national team.”
“Emiliano Martínez has made 228 appearances for Aston Villa, keeping 66 clean sheets.”
“Martínez: ‘I’ll be fit for World Cup’ (2026 qualification cycle, Jan 2025)”
– ESPN
“Emi joined us in August 2010 from Argentinian side Independiente, and has since amassed more than 50 career appearances.”
What’s next for Emi Martinez?
Emi Martinez is expected to remain Aston Villa’s first‑choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future despite ongoing Juventus rumors. His focus will be on the 2025/26 Premier League season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification with Argentina. Fans can look for potential media appearances (documentaries, interviews) and possibly a new goalkeeper kit deal. Merchandise (jersey) demand remains high, especially in Argentina. For a broader look at English football history, see the FA Cup Winners List – Complete History by Year (1872-2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cups has Emi Martinez won?
He won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, starting all matches.
What is Emi Martinez’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but estimates range from $5–10 million based on salary, endorsements, and transfer fees.
Is Emi Martinez married?
He is in a long‑term relationship and has a son named Santi. No further details are confirmed from the available sources.
What number does Emi Martinez wear?
He wears No. 1 for Aston Villa and No. 23 for Argentina.
How many penalties has Emi Martinez saved?
He has saved 6 out of 18 penalties in the Premier League (as of Feb 2025) and famously saved two in the 2022 World Cup final shootout.
Did Emi Martinez play for Manchester United?
No. He played for Arsenal and Aston Villa, and had loan spells at lower‑league English clubs. There is no record of him playing for Manchester United.
Where can I buy an Emi Martinez jersey?
Official jerseys are available through Aston Villa’s club store, Premier League retailers, and the Argentina national team shop. Check official club channels for authentic merchandise.
Is Emi Martinez in the Italy national football team history?
No. Martínez represents Argentina. For a guide to Italy’s World Cup history and squad, see Italy National Football Team: World Cup History, Squad & Azzurri.
James Sutton is Senior Reporter at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering breaking music and entertainment stories across the UK.