Before Emiliano Martinez cemented his place as Argentina’s first choice goalkeeper, there were several options for the country and a battle ahead.
The Aston Villa player has managed to make the job his own, not only through good performances but also through the connection he has with his international teammates and the country’s supporters.
Winning the Copa America only served to underline that further, and unless something goes drastically wrong, Martinez will be between the Argentina sticks for a while.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t others who would like to take his place.
One of those is Walter Benitez, who moved from Nice to PSV at the beginning of July. He’s already first choice for the Dutch club and has appeared in Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League.
Benitez has been speaking to Ole and insists he “never loses hope” of representing Argentina. He was then asked to comment on Martinez, and was very complimentary.
“Today it is a squad with young players, who have the opportunity to play a World Cup soon,” Benitez told Ole. “It is a very good process, in which many games were won in a row. And, as for Emiliano, he has done a very good job in these games that he has had to play. He has shown that he can be in the national team. Both at Aston Villa and in Argentina he has done good things. Obviously he is worthy of his place.”
The goalkeeper dismissed the option of a return to Argentine football and insisted he wants to continue proving himself in Europe.
