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Emiliano Martínez injury and World Cup reflections

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2026-10-31 11:08 UTC → 2026-10-31 16:25 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has revealed that he will suffer a permanent loss of mobility in his right hand. The injury, a fractured ring finger sustained during the May 2026 Europa League final while playing for Aston Villa, resulted from Martínez’s decision to forgo surgery to ensure his availability for the 2026 World Cup. Martínez described the experience as extremely painful, noting he had to use specialized equipment such as a plastic guard and custom gloves during the tournament. He also mentioned training with volleyballs to manage the injury. He stated, “It’s going to stay like this for life,” noting he can no longer fully close his fist. Martínez further disclosed that the injury caused significant emotional distress, leading him to cry nightly due to the appearance of his finger. He described feeling like a “zombie” and experiencing intense pain when touching the ground. The injury also had professional implications: a potential transfer to Juventus collapsed after medical imaging revealed the finger remained fractured. He eventually joined Chelsea, a club he noted was unconcerned with the injury. While Martínez stated he would take the risk again for his national team, he indicated he will eventually require surgery to manage ongoing pain. In addition to discussing his physical condition, Martínez addressed Argentina’s 1:0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. While acknowledging Spain’s victory, Martínez expressed confidence that Argentina could have won in a penalty shootout, citing his own record in such situations. Midfielder Enzo Fernández also addressed the defeat, dismissing conspiracy theories regarding external interference and attributing the loss to the squad’s physical exhaustion.

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