The craze for
Emiliano Martínez
unlocked a new level this Thursday at
Aston Villa
, but also among Argentine soccer fans who vibrated with the enormous performance of the world champion goalkeeper in the penalty shootout in which the English club eliminated Lille
from France.
.
Dibu
blocked two shots from eleven meters, ordered the local fans to shut up, who whistled at him at all times, and put
a little dance
into the final celebration as in the final in Qatar 2022.
"I get motivated by the fans. When they throw things at my back...
My whole life has been having things thrown at my back and I always get up
. It gives me energy to save
," Martínez told the secret of why he gets bigger in the hottest moments such as the penalty shoot-outs.
Dibu is a true specialist in this regard.
In his entire career he faced six series of penalties and won five
, with nine shots saved, of course including those he saved against the Netherlands and France in the last World Cup that he won with the Argentine National Team.
"I KNOW MY TEAM NEEDED ME AT THOSE MOMENTS. IN MY HEAD I AM THE OWNER OF THE AREA"
✍️Draw Martínez, who was once again the VILLAIN in France.
📺 #ESPNenStarPlus pic.twitter.com/0Yntj3FQQ3
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) April 18, 2024
"My career was an incredible journey. I
am a believer and I work hard. It was my destiny to win again. I always say that I am responsible for my career, for my performances.
I know that the team needs me in those moments. Yesterday we were watching the Real Madrid and Manchester City and the coach asked us 'What if we go to penalties?'
In my head I always think that in those moments I am the owner of the area
, "
the man from Mar del Plata explained the reason for his extreme confidence.
The goalkeeper experienced a curious sequence when he was cautioned after saving the first penalty, but he had already seen yellow during regular playing time. However, he was not sent off because the regulations indicate that these two cards do not add up to result in a red card.
Regarding the referee's performance, he said:
"
It seems that I have a bad reputation for stalling because the other goalkeeper was doing exactly the same thing
. I got booked in the first minute and we were losing. I don't understand why the referee went after me. And then again. There was no ball at the penalty spot, so I ask a ball catcher and he warns me
," he said, although in reality the second warning was due to his gesture of silence in front of the Lille fans.