Never miss a moment with Chelsea
Playing through the pain for Argentina
Martinez suffered a broken and dislocated finger in May during the warm-up for Aston Villa's Europa League final victory against Freiburg. The severe injury immediately cast doubt over his involvement in Argentina's World Cup title defence, leaving the 34-year-old devastated when he first saw the scans.
Rather than undergoing surgery that would have ruled him out of the tournament, Martinez chose to play through the agony. Backed by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, the shot-stopper relied on a customised Adidas glove for protection, despite admitting the heavy strapping severely restricted his ability to grasp the ball.
'Every single night I was crying'
Speaking to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul’s YouTube channel, the veteran goalkeeper detailed the severe physical and emotional toll the injury took on his daily life. The pain was so intense that it completely altered his training methods and required immense personal sacrifice.
"The day before Algeria I was diving with one arm, diving like a zombie," Martinez explained. "If I put my hand down I was seeing stars. It was brutal. Every single night I was crying because my finger looked like a sausage."
Despite the permanent consequences, the Argentine insists he has no regrets about putting his country first. "It will never go back to how it was," he said. "I am still playing with pain. But these are the risks you take for the national team, I’d do it again."
.png?quality=60&auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1320)
.png?quality=60&auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1320)
%20(3).png?quality=60&auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1320)
%20(3).png?quality=60&auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1320)
%20(1).png?quality=60&auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1320)
Related Topics
Peacock Premium
✅ Streams roughly 175 exclusive live matches per season that are completely blacked out on traditional TV.
✅ Acts as the league's US archive, providing full on-demand match replays shortly after every live broadcast concludes.
✅ Streams the popular "Goal Rush" whip-around show, which jumps between live highlights during the packed Saturday 10:00 a.m. ET window.
Sling TV
✅ Provides nationwide access to USA Network, securing the primary cable home for the league's linear broadcasts.
✅ Includes access to live, local NBC affiliates for the marquee weekend matches in designated major media markets.
✅ Serves as the cheapest way to access live cable TV sports channels without paying for a bloated traditional bundle.
DirecTV
✅ Carries both USA Network and your local NBC station, ensuring you get every nationally televised match.
✅ Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage so you can easily record and save early morning fixtures.
✅ Replicates the classic set-top box feel with a familiar channel guide, making it easy to channel-surf on weekend mornings.
Peacock Premium
✅ Streams roughly 175 exclusive live matches per season that are completely blacked out on traditional TV.
✅ Acts as the league's US archive, providing full on-demand match replays shortly after every live broadcast concludes.
✅ Streams the popular "Goal Rush" whip-around show, which jumps between live highlights during the packed Saturday 10:00 a.m. ET window.
Sling TV
✅ Provides nationwide access to USA Network, securing the primary cable home for the league's linear broadcasts.
✅ Includes access to live, local NBC affiliates for the marquee weekend matches in designated major media markets.
✅ Serves as the cheapest way to access live cable TV sports channels without paying for a bloated traditional bundle.
DirecTV
✅ Carries both USA Network and your local NBC station, ensuring you get every nationally televised match.
✅ Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage so you can easily record and save early morning fixtures.
✅ Replicates the classic set-top box feel with a familiar channel guide, making it easy to channel-surf on weekend mornings.
Peacock Premium
✅ Streams roughly 175 exclusive live matches per season that are completely blacked out on traditional TV.
✅ Acts as the league's US archive, providing full on-demand match replays shortly after every live broadcast concludes.
✅ Streams the popular "Goal Rush" whip-around show, which jumps between live highlights during the packed Saturday 10:00 a.m. ET window.
A collapsed transfer to Juventus
The finger problem had significant ramifications for Martinez's club career during the summer window. A prospective move to Serie A giants Juventus ultimately broke down once the full extent of the damage was discovered during his medical assessments.
"I got an x-ray and it was broken again," the goalkeeper revealed. "That is when a transfer to a club fell through because of the finger."
Following the collapsed move to Italy, Martinez eventually secured a £7.5 million transfer to Chelsea. "They said it was possible for me to play like that, that I needed surgery, but Chelsea didn't, they didn't care," he added. "One day I will need surgery."
Recovering from a broken jaw
While his finger issue remains a long-term concern, Martinez is currently sidelined in west London with a completely different physical setback. The goalkeeper is actively recovering from a broken jaw sustained earlier this month during Chelsea's victory over Everton.
He will now focus heavily on his rehabilitation before attempting to reclaim his spot in the starting XI at Stamford Bridge. Once fully fit, the 34-year-old must continue navigating the permanent discomfort in his hand as he looks to establish himself at his new club.