Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could be nearing the end of his international career after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, with outlets sports news publications reporting that retirement is now under consideration.
Spain won the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, courtesy of an extra-time strike from Ferran Torres, denying Lionel Scaloni’s side the chance to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022. Martinez made 11 saves during the match, breaking the record for the most saves by a goalkeeper in a World Cup final.
Martinez, 33, has now won 67 caps for Argentina and played every minute of the team’s eight games at this tournament. He kept two clean sheets and conceded eight goals across the campaign, including one to England’s Anthony Gordon in the 2-1 semi-final win.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was one of the standout performers for a Scaloni side that was largely outplayed by Luis de la Fuente’s Spain in the final. He produced a string of crucial saves to keep Argentina in the contest deep into extra time.
Martinez was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper that year.
He addressed the defeat in a post on his Instagram account. “I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more,” Martinez wrote.
He went on to reflect on his future with the national team. “The truth is, the pain is hard to explain. There are many things to reflect on and how to move forward, and if it’s time to step aside.”
He closed the post by thanking his teammates and the country for their support. “I’m so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my teammates.”
Martinez also won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards, in 2023 and 2024.
He has played for Aston Villa since 2020 and remains under contract until 2029, but has been strongly linked with a move to Juventus this summer.
Reports suggest that the goalkeeper has already agreed personal terms with the Serie A club, though Aston Villa have so far resisted selling him, with the club’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, stating publicly that Martinez will remain at the club this season.
