“We wanted to compete a bit more. We were waiting until the last minute to see what we were doing, and an opponent was found at the very last second,” Martinez told reporters following the match.

Argentina was originally scheduled to face Spain in a high-profile 2026 Finalissima clash on Friday, March 27. However, the match was canceled after CONMEBOL, UEFA, and the respective federations failed to reach an agreement regarding the venue.

Martinez slams Argentina’s performance

On paper, Argentina—ranked 4th in the world—was expected to dominate Mauritania, currently ranked 115th. While the Albiceleste took an early lead, Martinez did not hold back in his critique of the team’s second-half display.

“The first half was fine; obviously we had to adapt a bit since we hadn’t played together in a while,” Martinez noted. “But the second half was very poor. We lacked intensity and commitment. When we wear this national team jersey, we have to do much better“.

Lionel Scaloni’s squad started the match with a high tempo, dominating the first half with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Paz. What looked like an impending blowout, however, shifted in the second half.

As Martinez analyzed, the team’s performance dropped significantly, showing a lack of urgency that allowed Mauritania to gain more control of the ball, that led them to score at the end of the game.

When is Argentina’s next friendly?

Following the 2-1 victory, Argentina will face Zambia this coming Tuesday, March 31, at La Bombonera. The match will serve as the team’s final appearance on home soil before the squad departs for North America to begin the 2026 World Cup.

During the ceremony, Gianluigi Donnarumma was crowned the best goalkeeper of the season after his impressive performance with PSG. However, the official Ballon d’Or account announced Emiliano Martinez as the winner in its post on X, formerly Twitter, placing the Italian in fourth place and making an unusual mistake.

Although Emiliano Martinez stands among the all-time greats with multiple Yachine Trophy wins, his recent season fell short of expectations. Aston Villa secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, a position some saw as a setback leading to Europa League. He even faced scrutiny for key mistakes, which fueled rumors of his departure. Ultimately, those speculations proved to be false as he continues to be a vital part of the club.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, unlike Emiliano, quickly dispelled any doubts about his standing in world soccer. As a pivotal force for PSG, the Italian goalkeeper made decisive impacts during crucial Champions League moments. While questions lingered about his ball-footing skills, he consistently showcased his importance, expertly commanding his team from the back and solidifying his role between the posts.

Who are all the winners of the Yachine Trophy in soccer history?

Since its inception in 2019, the Yachine Trophy, named after legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, has emerged as a prestigious accolade in international soccer. Created by France Football magazine to honor the year’s best goalkeeper, it fills a void not addressed by the longer-established Ballon d’Or, founded in 1956. Despite its brief history, the Yachine Trophy has already seen four elite players claim this coveted recognition, highlighting its growing significance in the sport.

After being crowned the winner of the 2025 Yachine Trophy, Gianluigi Donnarumma becomes the trophy’s most successful winner, at just 26 years of age, alongside Emiliano Martinez. With this achievement, the Italian goalkeeper has written his name in soccer history as one of the most influential players. Now, with his arrival at Manchester City, he could add to his already historic legacy.

According to journalist Gaston Edul, Manchester United have entered formal negotiations with Aston Villa over a potential deal for Martinez. Talks are also reportedly underway between the Red Devils and the goalkeeper’s camp regarding personal terms, including contract length and salary.

If a deal materializes soon, Martinez could join Manchester United ahead of the new season — one in which the club will not compete in European tournaments and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that fell well short of expectations.

The 2022 World Cup champion is said to be a top priority for new United manager Ruben Amorim. According to reports from The Sun and Tuttomercatoweb, Amorim views Martinez as a perfect fit for his vision, valuing not just his goalkeeping skills, but also his leadership, organizational qualities, and fiery competitiveness.

With current No.1 Andre Onana underwhelming last season, Amorim is reportedly looking to make Martinez the starting keeper moving forward. For the deal to go through, United are expected to submit an official offer in the range of €30–40 million — the fee Aston Villa are demanding for one of their most important players.

Aston Villa make goalkeeping move amid Martinez uncertainty

While speculation around Martinez’s future heats up, Aston Villa have already taken steps to reinforce their goalkeeper room. On Tuesday, July 15, the club officially announced the signing of 34-year-old Dutch veteran Marco Bizot from Ligue 1 side Stade Brestois.

Bizot, who was developed at Ajax and has also played for clubs including AZ Alkmaar, Genk, and Groningen, had been Brest’s starting goalkeeper since 2021. Though Villa did not disclose the transfer fee, reports indicate Bizot is expected to serve as the backup to whichever keeper wins the No. 1 job — filling the role vacated by Robin Olsen.

As Villa prepare for another Premier League campaign and a return to Champions League soccer, the situation between the posts remains fluid — and all eyes are now on whether Manchester United will seal a marquee move for Emiliano Martinez.

Dressed in an elegant tuxedo and holding hands with his wife, Mandinha Martínez, he appeared visibly upset by the jeers from the audience as soccer players and celebrities entered the gala.

For Dibu, this marks the second Ballon d’Or ceremony where the World Cup winner has faced boos from French fans, who have held a grudge against the goalkeeper since the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, which Argentina won.

Why Do French Fans Boo Emiliano Martínez?

The tense relationship between France and Emiliano Martínez began during the World Cup, where he was pivotal in making key saves during the final and in the penalty shootout. El Dibu is known for his antics, often taunting opponents and fans, which has not sat well with many supporters around the world.

Last year, the Aston Villa netminder won the prestigious Yashin Trophy for 2023 and has also earned accolades such as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: 2022, FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2022, and Copa América Golden Glove: 2021. He is up for the Yashin Trophy again this year.

When asked about the boos upon entering the gala, Martínez was quick with his response, “The star in France? I don’t know if I’m a star in France, they don’t treat me well here, but it’s normal, we won the World Cup against France.”

The Aston Villa goalkeeper was excluded from Argentina’s October squad following a two-match suspension handed down by FIFA. This decision stems from two incidents during the September international break.

The first offense occurred after Argentina’s victory over Chile at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 5, when Martinez made what FIFA deemed “offensive gestures” while celebrating with the 2024 Copa America trophy.

The second incident took place five days later in Barranquilla, Colombia. After Argentina’s 2-1 loss to the hosts, Emiliano was involved in a confrontation with a cameraman, which FIFA classified as a “violation of fair play.”

Martinez’s reaction

Following the suspension, Martinez took to social media to address the ruling, saying: “It was never my intention to disrespect anyone. I didn’t realize that a gesture celebrated by the fans would be seen as offensive. Moving forward, I’ll focus on not offending anyone and concentrate on winning titles with Argentina and Aston Villa.” He added: “Celebrations are meant to bring joy, not disrespect. It pains me to miss out on this FIFA date, but I’ll be supporting my teammates from afar.”

Who will replace Martinez?

With Emiliano Martínez sidelined, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni now faces a pivotal decision regarding who will step in between the posts for the matches against Venezuela and Bolivia. In previous absences, River Plate’s Franco Armani had been the go-to choice, but the veteran goalkeeper retired from international duty following the 2024 Copa America.

This leaves Scaloni with three options from his current squad: PSV Eindhoven’s Walter Benitez, Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso, and Olympique Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli. While Scaloni has yet to make an official announcement, reports suggest that Rulli is the frontrunner to start in Martinez’s absence.

This sanction means he will be unavailable for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15. Martínez’s suspension stems from a recent incident in which he held a replica of the Copa América trophy inappropriately during a celebration following Argentina’s win over Chile on September 5. FIFA deemed this act a violation of its code of conduct.

It’s the second time Dibu has made this “inappropriate” gesture on a grand stage; he had done so during the 2022 FIFA World Cup award ceremony after Argentina defeated France. As a result of the suspension, Martínez issued a statement.

Dibu Martínez on His 2-Game Suspension

Martínez wrote on X, “I accept the sanction from @FIFA and I apologize if I offended anyone. The moment of celebration is meant to bring smiles to many kids and not to disrespect anyone. I will support my friends during this FIFA date, despite the pain of not being able to be there. It was never my intention to disrespect anyone, nor did I understand that a gesture well-received by the public was offensive. However, I will try not to offend anyone further and will focus solely on winning titles with Argentina and Aston Villa .”

Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez has faced criticism for several of his controversial antics, particularly during celebrations. His actions have sparked discussions about sportsmanship and the impact of athlete behavior, especially in high-stakes moments like the World Cup.

Despite these controversies, Martínez remains a key figure for Argentina, known for both his skills as a goalkeeper and his vibrant personality on the field.

According to Argentine national team journalist Gaston Edul, Martinez has been handed a two-game suspension by FIFA, ruling him out of Argentina’s qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

The suspension stems from Martínez’s obscene gestures with the Copa America trophy after Argentina’s 3-0 win over Chile and for pushing a cameraman after their 2-1 away loss to Colombia.

October was shaping up to be a promising month for Argentine soccer, with their captain Messi set to return to action, but Martinez’s suspension has cast a shadow over the team’s preparations.

Options to replace Martinez

With Martínez suspended, Argentina’s starting goalkeeper spot is up for grabs, and head coach Lionel Scaloni is considering multiple candidates to step in as starters.

In the last international window, Scaloni called up Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez, and Juan Musso, making one of these three likely to start in the upcoming matches against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Benitez was the most recent keeper to get playing time, starting in Argentina’s friendly win against Costa Rica in March. However, Rulli has previously been a trusted option under Scaloni, although his last appearance was in September 2022.

Musso’s last outing for Argentina came in 2021 during a 3-0 loss to Bolivia on the road. With a month and a half to go before the qualifiers, Scaloni has time to decide which of these three will step in for Martínez, but the decision seems to be between these experienced options.

59 minutes into Matchday 8 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, the former Real Madrid star capitalized on a penalty shot to send a powerful spot-kick past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to restore Colombia‘s lead against Argentina. And it proved the difference for the 2-1 win.

With this beautiful goal, James continues in excellent form for Los Cafeteros. The 33-year-old now boasts 10 goal contributions in his last eight matches with the Colombian national team:

• vs Paraguay – two assists
• vs Costa Rica – assist
• vs Brazil –
• vs Panama – brace, two assists
• vs Uruguay – assist
• vs Argentina –
• vs Peru –
• vs Argentina – goal, assist

James has been playing at an incredibly high level on the international stage recently, as his recent stats show. In fact, he was named MVP of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America, where he helped Colombia reach the grand final.

James’ club career contrasts with fantastic Colombia form

James’ club career has been on decline in the last few years, with the Colombian star failing to find stability since leaving Everton in 2021. Following that experience in the Premier League, the Enviado product bounced around different leagues.

His first club after leaving England was Qatari side Al-Rayyan, where he recorded four goals in just 13 appearances. James then took his talents to Greek giants Olympiacos, but rescinded his contract only a few months later with five goals in 20 games.

In July 2023, he shocked the world by joining the Brazilian league to sign for South American powerhouse São Paulo, though things didn’t go to plan there either. In the summer of 2024, James joined Spanish side Rayo Vallecano to try and get his club career back on track in LaLiga.

Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez and Lautaro Martínez are the nominees from the Argentina national team. They both were key to their 2024 Copa America’s triumph, and both won individual trophies in the tournament. Lautaro was the top scorer with five goals, one in the final, while ‘Dibu’ won the Best Goalkeeper prize.

Performance with Argentina aside, they have also shined with their clubs. At Inter Milan, Martinez not only won the Serie A, but also finished the 2023-24 season as the top scorer in the league with 24 goals. He also won the Serie A MVP for the season.

On the other hand, ‘Dibu’ Martinez broke Aston Villa’s record of most clean sheets in a goalkeeper’s first 100 games with 34, surpassing Mark Bosnich and Brad Friedel (33). Martinez will also compete for the Yashin Award for Best Goalkeeper, and he is the only goalkeeper in the list for the Ballon d’Or.

Among the other nominees, Real Madrid is the club with the most nominees: Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr. and Antonio Rudiger. Kylian Mbappé, who recently signed with Los Blancos, is also competing.

Lionel Scaloni is competing for Men’s Coach of the Year

Lautaro Martinez and Emiliano Martinez aren’t the only Argentina’s representative at the upcoming gala, which will be celebrated on October 28th. Lionel Scaloni is also nominated for the Men’s Coach of the Year, in which he will compete against Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen), Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City).

Messi and Cristiano are not nominated for the first time since 2003

Neither Leo Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are on the list of eligible players for the Ballon d’Or. The Portuguese player was already excluded from the list of winners last year, and now Messi has joined him. This is the first time since 2003 that neither of them is among the candidates.

According to information circulating on social media and from well-known leakers, Lionel Messi, the iconic captain of Argentina, will not hold the top spot among his compatriots. Instead, Lautaro Martinez has been revealed as the highest-rated Argentine player in the game with an overall rating of 89.

For the first time since FIFA 10, Messi will be rated below 90. The Argentine captain is set to receive an overall rating of 88, marking only the third instance where his rating has dipped below 90, the others being in the 2011 and 2024 editions of the game.

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez follows closely as the third highest-rated Argentine player, boasting an impressive overall rating of 87, which cements his reputation as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers.

Argentina’s World Cup champions’ ratings

• Franco Armani – 77
• Geronimo Rulli – 79
• Emiliano Martinez – 87
• Juan Foyth – 80
• Nicolas Tagliafico – 78
• Gonzalo Montiel – 76
• German Pezzella – 77
• Marcos Acuña – 83
• Cristian Romero – 84
• Nicolas Otamendi – 81
• Lisandro Martinez – 84
• Nahuel Molina – 82
• Leandro Paredes – 78
• Rodrigo de Paul – 84
• Exequiel Palacios – 84
• Alejandro Gomez –
• Guido Rodriguez –
• Alexis Mac Allister – 86
• Enzo Fernandez – 82
• Julian Alvarez – 84
• Lionel Messi – 88
• Angel di María –
• Angel Correa – 82
• Thiago Almada –
• Paulo Dybala – 87
• Lautaro Martinez – 89

In a playful video Copa America winner Emiliano Martínez, the Argentine goalkeeper known for his quick reflexes on the field, also joined in the fun, adding his own flair to the lighthearted clip.

Aston Villa, deeply rooted in Birmingham like Black Sabbath, cleverly incorporated the city’s musical heritage into their jersey launch. The video starts with a comical phone call between Ozzy and Geezer, discussing a hypothetical game at Villa Park. Their banter sets the tone as “Paranoid,” one of Black Sabbath’s classic hits, kicks in, adding a rock ‘n’ roll vibe to the unveiling.

Dibu and Ozzy rock Aston Villa social media video

Emiliano Martínez features in the video hilariously interacting with an elderly companion who’s eager to hit the pitch. The goalkeeper’s expressions are priceless as he navigates through the playful exchange, showcasing a different side of his talent off the field.

Aston Villa have a historic season ahead of them as the club will participate in the UEFA Champions League for the third time in their history. Aston Villa will also try to surprise many and finish top of the table again in the upcoming Premier League season.