Not many goalkeepers have gone from being an afterthought to a World Cup hero like Emiliano Martínez. For nearly a decade, he was loaned out to various clubs, and it wasn’t until recently that he was considered a starter. Now, he is one of the most famous shot-stoppers in the game. This is the story of how he got there and where he is today.
Quick Facts About Emiliano Martínez
- Full name: Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero
- Nickname: Dibu
- Date of birth: September 2, 1992
- Place of birth: Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (195 cm)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current club: Chelsea
- National team: Argentina
Early Career and a Long Road Through Loans
Martínez was born in Argentina and began his career in the youth ranks of Independiente before Arsenal scooped him up and took him to England. What ensued was one of the longest apprenticeships in the history of the game. Instead of making a name for himself at North London he ended up spending years being loaned out, to the likes of Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Getafe, and Reading.
He was never viewed as a long term solution in goal during this time at Arsenal. He will be remembered for being on the losing side of a crazy 7-5 League Cup defeat to Reading, and for most of his career he was a backup, racking up FA Cup winner’s medals with Arsenal in 2015, 2017 and 2020 while never really being the undisputed first choice.
The Move to Aston Villa
Everything changed in September 2020, when Martínez departed Arsenal for Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £20 million. It was the switch that eventually enabled him to demonstrate what he was capable of with everyday starting. In his first season with the club, he matched the club’s Premier League clean sheet record and was named the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Season.
He spent six years at Villa making over 250 appearances and became one of the most dependable and outspoken goalkeepers in the league, renowned as much for his penalty saving prowess as for his theatrics between the posts.He featured in the squad that took Villa into the Champions League with Unai Emery, and rounded off his Villa career by winning the Europa League with the club before his eventual departure. .
World Cup Glory With Argentina
Martínez’s international career is where his reputation really blossomed. He established himself as Argentina’s first-choice goalkeeper and was a key player in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, making a crucial save in the penalty shootout against France in the final. In doing so, he became a household name, not just among football fans, but also outside of the sport, partly because of his saves and partly because of his flamboyant, sometimes controversial celebrations.
He subsequently played a part in Argentina winning the Copa América in both 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 CONMEBOL/UEFA Finalissima. He reached another major final at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina finished as runners up, losing to Spain.
The Surprise Move to Chelsea
In August 2026, Martínez’s Aston Villa tenure was over. The club had brought in Japan international Zion Suzuki as their long term option in goal, which allowed Martínez to move on. A move to Juventus was agreed earlier that summer, but fell apart, and then Chelsea swooped following poor form from their own goalkeeper, Robert Sánchez, in their Premier League opener versus Fulham.
The club announced the signing on Monday. (£10million) on a three year deal and Martínez quickly made himself at home as he made his debut for the club almost straight away after the move was finalised. He was the manager Xabi Alonso’s go-to experienced option, someone who could bring stability to the role immediately.
Playing Style and Reputation
Martínez is renowned for his shot stopping, his presence in the box and his penalty saving abilities, which have become a key part of his player identity. He is also well known for his psychological tactics when it comes to spot kicks, attempting to get into the minds of opposition takers before they even take their shot.
Outside of the pitch, he is considered one of the more outspoken and colourful characters in the game, never afraid to celebrate loudly or speak his mind, which has made him a favourite among Argentina supporters but a divisive figure elsewhere.
What’s Next for Emiliano Martínez
Martínez, 33, is as hungry as ever. His transfer to Chelsea presents him with a new challenge, in a new dressing group competing for a first-team position at a club with real ambitions. Along with picking up his career again as Argentina’s No 1, it’s likely the next chapter of his career will be just as eventful as the one that came before it.
