Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez must take his nomination for the Yashin Award as encouragement to keep doing whatever he is doing.
That’s according to former Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea, via TNT Sports, who believes the Aston Villa goalkeeper is being rewarded for his consistency.
Martinez was once again named among the nominees for the Yashin Award this week, after winning the award last year.
It was introduced by the Ballon D’Or in 2019 as an attempt to recognise goalkeepers for their performances, with only one, the eponymous Yashin, having actually won the Ballon D’Or in 1963.
The likes of Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois and Gianluigi Donnarumma are all previous winners, but it was the Aston Villa man who too it home last year after his success with Argentina at the World Cup.
This year he finds himself on a shortlist that includes Diogo Costa, Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Unai Simon, Yann Sommer and Ronwen Williams.
Given his continued success with Argentina and Aston Villa’s impressive season under Unai Emery, the Argentine looks likely to defend his crown. But even if he doesn’t, Goycochea believes he should be encouraged.
“They are reassurances,” he said.
“They are reassurances and encouragement to keep working in this way. If you’re nominated for an award like this it’s because you deserve it, not because you need it.
“It seems to me that it is an award that has been given for a continuity in his performance. From 2021 to now, it’s three years, both in the national team and in his club.”
