Emiliano Martinez's comments on Lionel Messi have resurfaced after Argentina's penalty shootout win against Ecuador in Copa America (July 5). La Albiceleste managed to make their way to the semis beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1.
Lionel Messi missed his spot kick but his four teammates all found the back of the net. Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi converted their penalties while Martinez saved two penalties.
Martinez has been exceptional for Argentina over the last few years and has been decisive in clutch moments. A penalty-shootout specialist, the Aston Villa custodian formerly shared his admiration for Messi and those comments have now resurfaced.
Back in 2021, Emiliano Martinez came up with another heroic performance for Argentina in the Copa America semi-final. He saved three penalties against Colombia to send his team through to the final.
After the game, the Aston Villa number one claimed that he would die for Lionel Messi. Martinez said, as quoted by Tribuna:
"I was speechless when I saw it. These are sentences or pictures that you keep for the rest of your life. Or to have it framed that I’m hugging him. Same thing in the semis, when he came to hug me, same as the interview or what he put on Instagram, it gave me strength to make saves in the final and be even better. It gives me strength."
He added:
"Him putting a photo with the caption "he's a beast", how can I not perform in the final? I want to give him life, I want to die for him. I said it four or five months ago, I said I prefer that he wins the Copa America before I do. And it’s true. Just like every Argentine. The Brazilians, for me, wanted Argentina to win the Copa just because of Messi. And an Argentine isn’t going to want Messi to win it? It (winning Copa America) happened and hopefully we can give him the World Cup."
Martinez helped Argentina win the Copa America in 2021 and also put an end to their long wait for the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Sergio Aguero names 3 players who can become leaders for Argentina after Lionel Messi's retirement
Former Argentina international Sergio Aguero has named three players who can become leaders of the national side after Lionel Messi hangs up his boots. The 37-year-old has been La Albiceleste's skipper for a long time but they will eventually have to look for future leaders.
Sergio Aguero, who has served Argentina for a long time and shares a strong bond with Messi, believes Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez can become leaders in the national setup. Aguero said in an interview with Stake.com (via Daily Mail):
"In my opinion, our next leaders will be Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez."
Alvarez, Mac Allister, and Fernandez all play in the Premier League for Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively. They are also key players in Lionel Scaloni's system.