'I'll retire, I promise you' - Emi Martinez reveals what would make him hang up his gloves as Argentina goalkeeper eyes World Cup 2026 glory

The Aston Villa goalkeeper helped the Albiceleste to global glory at Qatar 2022, with his penalty-saving heroics allowing Lionel Messi and Co to claim the most prestigious of honours. Martinez has also played a leading role in two Copa America triumphs for his country.

Martinez had to be patient in pursuit of his big break, having filled back-up duties at Arsenal for several years and only making his senior international debut in 2021. He has, however, fit a lot into a short period of time and admits that he would have to step down from Argentina duty if they are able to emulate the efforts of previous World Cup double winners Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).

Martinez has told AFA Estudio during a discussion with international colleagues that also claimed gold in the Middle East: “Is there any national team that has won two World Cups in a row? If I become a two-time world champion with the Argentine national team, I will retire. I promise you. I'm telling you today. I will retire after that World Cup.”

When it was put to him by Lautaro Martinez that he is “already old”, Martinez added: “I’ve only just turned 32, my friend, I’ll be 33 at the World Cup, a young lad. I started playing when I was 30, what do you want?”

Martinez went on to admit that he came close to announcing his international retirement in 2022, saying of the emotions that spilled out following a dramatic final victory over France: “I get to the dressing room, and I see Cuti Romero and Marito crying. Then I said: ‘No, that’s it, I’m retiring from the national team. That’s it, I’ve achieved everything’. It was my dream. Then I passed Paulo Dybala crying and when I hugged him, I started crying like a child thinking about what I suffered in England.”

Martinez has grown accustomed to winning prestigious titles, with the South American now the proud owner of two Yashin Trophies, a couple of FIFA Best Goalkeeper awards and the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper prize. He will be hoping those standards can be maintained through to the next World Cup in 2026, which will see the United States, Canada and Mexico filling the roles of co-hosts.