There is another sports hero beyond Lionel Andres Messiof the goals of Giuliano Alvarez and of the caudillesco Nicola Otamendi. He is the owner of the arc of the Selection. is Emiliano Martinez, a man who demonstrates a winning mentality compared to the shadow. The I drew He did the same thing in this World Cup which catapulted him into the idolatry of all Argentines in the Copa América. With his heartbreaking save against Australia and his penalties against the Netherlands, he was also directly responsible for Argentina reaching the final on Sunday.

“We know how to suffer. From Arabia we suffer. We played wellWe scored goals. But they were also putting us in and we suffered with Australia, we suffered with Holland (sic) and they took us to penalties in a game we had controlled. But this time at half-time we spoke and said ‘the same thing shouldn’t happen to us’. It had to be liquidated. And in defense we played very well. I have four world-class monsters ahead of me,” says this man from Mar del Plata who put on his starting gloves for the Albiceleste just over a year ago and has never taken them off since.

Fundamental also in the semifinal against Croatia. When everything was zero and the team pushed by Luka Modric handled the ball and tried to reach the goal area, the I drew he landed a hard fireball against the left stick. And then he became the landlord in each center.

“It is a pride to play for this country and more with this class of players“, highlights Martínez, a true football madman who radiates confidence with his saves and with his steadfastness when it comes to declaring. Motivation spreads. His teammates, including Lionel Messi, give him praise after praise. And They never cease to be amazed at the grit that the Aston Villa goalkeeper also has in trainingwho was forged in Inferior Independiente and who at the age of 16 went to England.

He has the ability to turn around and look at the stands every time Messi takes a penalty. And shout the goals with the people. After qualifying for the final match, Martínez looked back in the stands but to look for his wife, Mandinha and their children Santi (4) and Ava (1) and show their fists. Shortly after, with the pulse more stabilized, I drew shared with clarion the sensations of an unforgettable moment.

-How does it feel to be in the World Cup final?

-I’m happy because the first match was very difficult for me, in which they came to me twice and scored two goals. I had not been able to enjoy. There are no words, it’s amazing. I didn’t know whether to cry or jump. We win comfortably. It’s a pleasure, a pride. But it’s like the Copa América: if we don’t win it, it’s worth nothing.

-Does the team maintain the harmony of the Copa América, of the Finalissima, are they called to do great things?

-I think that since I started playing in this team, we are getting better every time. We are not the Copa América team. We are not the Finalissima team. We are one step above.

-And this makes them believe even more?

-You have to believe big. Believing in it and working for it is something that identifies us a lot, with respect and ambition. Adding stars on social media is not our blood, but believing it identifies us. We did it with passion, head and heart. We already have the talent. I dream of going back to Argentina and doing the Olympic tour with my mates at the Obelisk.

-Was it the most complete match of the World Cup against Croatia?

-Yup. Every game was different. With Saudi Arabia, we eased the pressure. With Mexico it was very tough and we continued with it. It was a great match against Poland. With Australia we dominated until the end. Even with Holland (sic) I was almost done. But this time we didn’t want to make a mistake.

-How do you live this relationship with the fans?

-It’s beautiful. I go out into the warm-up and they are already jumping and singing. they infect me Every time I go out I already want to play.

-How do you feel when they applaud you?

-It is a pride that they sing my name. I fought from a very young age to go from Mar del Plata to England, who didn’t know me so much because I didn’t make my debut in red. Today, being in the hearts of Argentines is what makes me most proud.

-Messi says you’re a beast, what do you tell him?

-That I like. What he did in the Copa América was huge, but what he did in this World Cup is something I’ve never seen in my life.

Lusail, Qatar. Special delivery.