As Argentina now clinched a place in the 2022 World Cup, it seems one of the players who guaranteed their spot in the squad is Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The 29-year-old has become a hero since the Copa America title, and as he keeps his great form in the World Cup Qualifiers, the local media won’t stop talking about him.
Now as Radio Colonia managed to have an interview with Jorge Peta, one of Martinez’s early coaches, they were able to learn some interesting facts about the goalkeeper’s career.
The official revealed that the player was rejected by Argentina’s biggest clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate, and at one point, he was even approached by England to represent the national team.
“We took Dibu to River and Boca, they tested him, but they told us they already had goalkeepers,” Jorge Peta told Radio Colonia’s Como Te Va (via TNT Sports).
“Since he was a child, he told us: ‘I want to play for the Argentine national team and the day I grasp the goal they won’t take it from me anymore’. At one point they wanted him from England but he was determined to play for Argentina.”
It turns out Jorge Peta even suggested a couple of clubs that Martinez should be playing for.
In his opinion, the goalkeeper wouldn’t even have to leave the Premier League for that, but simply make a step up.
“I think that he should stay in England. I see him well there, he’s to play for Manchester City or United.”
