Related Articles
Lionel Messi insists a big part of Aston Villa’s success last season was down to Emi Martinez after he helped the club qualify for Champions League football.
Only one goalkeeper in the Premier League recorded a better Post-Shot Expected goals minus Goals Allowed value – which works out how many goals were prevented by the ‘keeper – than Martinez last term, with the Argentina international recording a total of 8.42. He is currently away with La Albiceleste at the Copa America, hoping to retain the title after winning it back in 2021.
Asked if Martinez is the best goalkeeper in the world, Messi told ESPN: “For me yes, I think that if he is not the best in the world he is among the best without a doubt. He has been showing it in the national team and in his club.
READ | Jhon Duran to Chelsea transfer: Aston Villa reach decision in £40m deal
READ | Aston Villa ‘enquire’ about £35m Chelsea defender as Jhon Duran transfer progresses
“I think that today in his club he is a fundamental piece for the team, he achieved the objective he had in his career, to enter the Champions League. I have no doubt that much of the credit is thanks to him.”
Meanwhile, Martinez is determined to compete for a gold medal with Argentina at the Paris Olympics this summer, but Villa have so far blocked Javier Mascherano from naming the goalkeeper in his squad. The 31-year-old claims he is willing to “fight” the club’s stance to secure his place as one of the three overage players allowed in Argentina’s men’s Olympic football squad.
If Argentina were to go all the way in Paris, Martinez would have a week before the start of the new Premier League season. Villa have also blocked France from calling up Lucas Digne and Moussa Diaby to play at the Olympics.
“I’ve had the possibility to speak with Marche (Mascherano), it is a wish that I want to play, but it doesn’t obviously just depend on myself,” Martinez told TyC Sports. “The club has blocked me from going lots of times before but I want to play Copa America and to have a little bit more of strength at the end of the Copa America to make a decision.
“I know that I have to fight a little bit more with the club, it’s not 100 per cent done but from my part, it is a wish that I have, that I want to win the Olympics. It’s not obligatory for the club to let a player leave to play in the Olympics, I know that my club has not let any player go, they blocked everyone.”
He continued: “[It is] A small chance, but I always put the national team in front and if I have to fight a little more with the club, I will, but first is the Copa America.
“It’s very difficult to fight with the club now because for us, the most important is to win the Copa America. Then comes the Olympics, and it is a personal wish of mine and to win the trophy.”
Click here to join our Aston Villa WhatsApp Community to receive the latest news and transfer headlines.
