'He has an aura no one else has' - Emi Martinez opens up on playing alongside 'lovely human being' Lionel Messi with Argentina

The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been part of La Albiceleste setup since 2021 and together with Messi, he has won two Copa America titles and the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. Martinez, who shares a close bond with Messi, revealed what the Inter Miami star is really like.

In a chat with the Men in Blazers YouTube channel, the custodian was asked if new players in the Argentine national team feel nervous while approaching the 37-year-old, to which he replied: "To be fair, for the other players, maybe yes, but not for me. We are all the same, I make jokes with everyone. He has got an aura that no one has. He is someone you look up to. When you see him, whatever he does, you like to copy him. He goes to the gym, you go to the gym. He has got that aura that no one in football has.

"But for me, everyone is the same. We all joke, we have meals together. He is a lovely human being. He has a super talent and when you are born with a super talent that no one has, he is that man."

Martinez had a memorable campaign for both club and country in 2024 as he proved to be a safe pair of hands and helped Aston Villa secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and Champions League slot. He then starred for the world champions as they defended their Copa America title in the summer, with the 32-year-old conceding just one goal in the entire tournament. The custodian then went on to win the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony and then bagged The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award.

The goalkeeper will be back in action for the Villans on Boxing Day as they take on Newcastle United in a Premier League clash at St James' Park.