It’s not only the Argentine media that keeps reminding how great Emiliano Martínez was in their World Cup title campaign.
As France Football today shares an interview with national team manager Lionel Scaloni, the Aston Villa goalkeeper is once again remembered for a specific play.
That’s the save against France star Kolo Muani, which took place at extra time and could’ve changed the whole final.
The Argentina boss claims he didn’t really think that was a big deal back then, and it took a while for him to understand.
“Honestly, I don’t remember Dibu saving from Kolo Muani very wel. Obviously, I saw it as a great opportunity for France, but it didn’t seem that obvious to me at the time. Afterwards, when I saw it again, of course it seemed miraculous.
“But during the match, I didn’t have that feeling at all. What’s more, we had a counter-attack at the back where Lautaro had the chance to score. That’s something I remember more, because we’re not far from going back in front,” said Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni also claimed that the Aston Villa star is a very important piece in their dressing room.
“In goal, Dibu is someone who shines, who transmits his optimism to others (…) In those moments, you have the impression that he becomes bigger, more imposing and that the goal shrinks. It’s a huge plus for the team, a real luxury to have him.
“After that, he was able to use what he’d learnt on the portero, in his neighbourhood, to try and distract his opponents, while respecting the rules. Thanks to him, our shooters were able to face the French goalkeeper with confidence.”
Dibu Martinez had been gaining great appreciation at the national team in the years before the World Cup, and the title in Qatar only consolidated him as one of their greats in history.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper continues to get mentioned in most interviews about that campaign, and now has a completely different status from the time he first joined the Villa park side back in 2020.
