Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez don admit say im dey play through pain for dis World Cup, because im get broken finger for im right hand.
Martínez say im avoid surgery wey specialist recommend, so im fit play for di tournament. “No, e still dey hurt every day. I know say e go hurt plenty. I avoid surgery,” Martínez tok on Friday. “All di specialists wey I consult tell me say I must do surgery or I no go fit play.”
Di goalkeeper fracture di ring finger for im right hand on May 20, while im dey warm up for Europa League final with Aston Villa against Freiburg. Di injury make Martínez train separate from im Argentina teammates during di first stage of di World Cup, as im work on special routine.
“Throughout di whole group stage I no fit train with di group, and e affect me because e be something wey I love. Afterwards, from Egypt onward, I train normal and I feel much better,” Martínez explain.
Despite di injury, Martínez don start every game for Argentina during di 2026 World Cup. Im also keep two clean sheets for di group stage, with 3-0 victory over Algeria and 2-0 triumph over Austria.
“Up to two days before di first match, I dey play with one hand; I look like I get one arm. Now, as I dey continue and talk to people, e dey all for my head. E no affect me at all. I no want get leading role for di national team,” Martínez tok.
Martínez go now feature for im second consecutive World Cup final, after im start for Argentina when La Albiceleste beat France for di 2022 edition. Argentina go face Spain for di 2026 World Cup final for MetLife Stadium for New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.
