Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he is considering whether it is “time to step aside” from international football after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old has won 67 caps for his country and played every minute of Argentina’s eight World Cup games, keeping two clean sheets and conceding eight goals.<\/p>\n
He was a World Cup winner in 2022, also claiming the golden glove award as the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
“I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more,” Martinez wrote in a post on Instagram., external<\/a><\/p>\n “The truth is, the pain is hard to explain. There are many things to reflect on and how to move forward, and if it’s time to step aside.<\/p>\n “I’m so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my team-mates.”<\/p>\n Martinez won the Yashin Trophy<\/a>, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards, in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n He has played for Aston Villa since 2020 and has a contract until 2029<\/a>, but has been linked to a move to Italian side Juventus this summer.<\/p>\n