Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has opened up about the incredible physical sacrifice he made to represent his country at the World Cup, revealing that he competed in the tournament with a broken finger.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper explained that the injury occurred during the Europa League final. After undergoing an X-ray, he became emotional when doctors informed him that his finger was fractured, fearing that his chances of participating in the World Cup were over.
However, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni offered him reassurance, making it clear that he would support Martínez regardless of whether he was fit enough to play. Scaloni reportedly encouraged him to join the squad and give himself a chance.
Rather than undergo immediate surgery, Martínez and the medical team decided to manage the injury. Adidas even produced a specially designed goalkeeper glove to accommodate his condition, allowing him to play with his injured finger heavily protected.
The recovery process was far from easy. Martínez revealed that he struggled to train with regular footballs and had to use volleyballs during preparation, continuing that routine until Argentina's match against Switzerland.
Describing the impact of the injury, the goalkeeper admitted that it affected him significantly throughout the competition. He experienced intense pain whenever his hand made contact with the ground and recalled moments when the swelling became so severe that he broke down in tears at the training camp.
Even more remarkably, a scan conducted after the World Cup showed that the finger had not healed and was still fractured.
Martínez also disclosed that the problem continues to affect him today, with the goalkeeper still playing through discomfort and expecting to require surgery at some point in the future.
His revelation offers another glimpse into the determination and personal sacrifices behind Argentina's World Cup triumph, highlighting just how much the goalkeeper endured to represent his nation on football's biggest stage.