Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has cast doubt on his international future, saying he is considering whether it is “time to step aside” from the national team following his side’s heartbreaking 1–0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
The 33-year-old shot-stopper, who has earned 67 caps for La Albiceleste, played every minute of Argentina’s eight matches in the tournament, recording two clean sheets and conceding eight goals over the course of the campaign.
His performance between the posts had been widely praised, but the final defeat in Berlin left the veteran visibly devastated.
In a candid social media post on Instagram, Martínez opened up about the emotional toll of the loss.
“I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more,” he wrote. “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. I’m so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my team-mates.”
The goalkeeper, a cornerstone of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, claimed the Golden Glove award in Qatar as the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper.
He has since added further individual recognition to his collection, winning the Yashin Trophy — awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or ceremony — in both 2023 and 2024.
Martínez’s club career has also been marked by stability and success. Since joining Aston Villa in 2020, he has become a fan favorite and remains under contract with the Premier League side until 2029.
However, recent transfer speculation has linked the Argentine with a summer move to Italian giants Juventus, adding another layer of uncertainty to his immediate future.
While Martínez has not made a final decision on his international retirement, his comments suggest a period of soul-searching lies ahead. Argentina fans and coaching staff alike will now wait anxiously to see whether the keeper who backstopped their 2022 triumph will answer the call for the next World Cup cycle — or if his time in the famous light-blue-and-white stripes has indeed come to an end.
