Martínez recalls the Spain final and reveals the injury that made him cry

Martínez has revisited what was said among Spain’s players in the final and described an injury that left him in tears before the World Cup. The Chelsea goalkeeper said he felt capable of winning a penalty shootout. He had heard Spanish players say they needed to settle the match before it reached that stage.

In that final, Martínez was convinced Argentina would have won the title if the game had gone to penalties. He nevertheless acknowledged that Spain deserved its victory. He also said he had feared France more in the 2022 final than the side coached by Luis de la Fuente. Of the latter team, he said: « They are very good, but I feel we would have beaten them today. »

The other revelation concerned an injury sustained in the Europa League final. Martínez played the entire World Cup with a broken finger: his ring finger had been dislocated and caused him severe pain. Medical examinations later showed the extent of the injury, putting his participation in the tournament in doubt.

The goalkeeper said that when he arrived in Birmingham, he went to hospital. After being told his finger was broken, he thought he would not be able to play at the World Cup and began to cry. Despite the risk of delaying surgery, he decided, after consulting Dani and Martín Tocalli, not to have an operation so he could keep open the possibility of travelling with the squad. Lionel Scaloni had assured him he would take him, whether or not he was able to play.

Martínez acknowledged that postponing the operation carried a serious risk: he said his finger would be affected for life and that some movements of his hand had become difficult. He also recalled his concern during the match against Egypt, when Argentina came close to elimination, before asking Tocalli to resume the usual training sessions ahead of the next match.

Martínez said he was targeting a return with Argentina during the next international break: « I need to play for Argentina, and I intend to return during the international break. »