The shot-stopper was a safe pair of hands as Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time by finishing in the Premier League's top four last season. He then went on to help carry Argentina to Copa America success in the summer, only conceding one goal in the whole tournament outside of a penalty shootout.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Martinez is one of three Premier League goalkeepers to have been nominated for the prize, including last year's winner Ederson and David Raya. Champions League and La Liga winner Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Unai Simon from Athletic Club were also nominated.
DID YOU KNOW?
This is the second time that the 32-year-old has won the award, having done so two years ago, while he already won the Yashin Trophy for the second time in a row at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ?
Martinez will be in action against the goalkeeper he has replaced as the best around when Villa host Ederson's Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.