Emiliano Martinez reveals World Cup injury and claims Spain final would have ended differently

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed he played through an entire World Cup with a broken finger and says his side would beat Spain if the two teams met again today.

Martinez discussed the injuries and defining moments of his career in an extended interview with Los Idolos, while also reflecting on Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2016 World Cup final.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper said the finger injury dated back to the Europa League final and was serious enough to end most players’ seasons.

“I played the entire World Cup with a broken finger,” Martinez said. “The doctors put a splint on it, and in the first few weeks I was able to train by diving with only one arm. A few days before the final, I managed to train normally.”

He credited Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni with giving him the time and support needed to recover, saying the manager only asked him to be honest about whether he would be fit to play.

Martinez said he is now planning a final operation to resolve the ongoing problems with the finger.

‘I lost consciousness’

The Argentina international also described another serious injury sustained in the English Premier League during a match against Everton.

“It was like a knockout blow in a UFC fight,” he said. “I lost consciousness and cannot remember anything. They put a metal plate in me at hospital and removed three of my teeth.”

Martinez added that he is targeting the next international break for his return to action.

“I need to play for the national team,” he said. “I intend to return during the international break.”

Martinez backs Argentina against Spain

Reflecting on Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2016 World Cup final, Martinez said he was convinced his team would have prevailed had the match gone to a penalty shootout.

“If we had reached penalties, we would have won,” he said. “I felt that it was going to be my day. You feel that the ball is not going to go into the net.”

Although Martinez accepted that Spain deserved to win the final, he suggested Argentina would now have the edge in a rematch.

“France in 2022 impressed me more than the current Spain team,” he said. “They are a very strong side, but I feel that if we played them today, we would beat them.”

Martinez also said he intended to remain available for Argentina until he retired, and identified Lionel Messi as a major influence on his career.

“He taught us everything: how to fall and get back up after failure,” Martinez said. “That helped me after the World Cup.”