Argentina’s maverick goalkeeper along with his livid expressions is nicknamed Dibu, after a 90s household telenovela centering round a ‘cartoon boy’ as protagonist.
Mi familia es un dibujo was Argentina’s first stay motion animated cleaning soap opera operating from 1996 by way of 1998 by which an animated little one is born right into a multigenerational household.
According to sportingnews, “Martinez’s nickname ‘Dibu’ (short for Dibujo) comes from his early days at Independiente. It refers to his supposed likeness to a character from the Argentine cartoon telenovela Mi familia es un dibujo and he has carried it with him ever since.”
The 30-year-old made his worldwide debut slightly late at age 29, however has been an animated, expressive presence beneath the bar. He might be all-important of their closing in opposition to a French crew brimming with attackers, even when all eyes might be on the opposite finish with Messi gunning for World Cup glory.
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Martinez although has change into a type of a cult hero with Argentina followers, owing to his expansive persona. “Martinez emerged on the scene as a late bloomer for Argentina with his international debut coming as a 29-year-old in 2021. Scaloni was unconvinced by Willy Caballero, following the retirement of Sergio Romero, and Martinez’s rise at Villa caught his eye,” Sportingnews wrote.
While the telenovela handled adjustment problems with the animated little one with non-animated kids, Martinez’ personal battle was breaking into the Albiceleste, biding his time. “Martinez’s trademark resilience was shown from the start of his Argentina career: he accepted a call-up after two previous false dawns with the national team, after Scaloni’s show of faith. Neither has looked back since, as he was thrown in the deep end of a World Cup qualifier in June 2021 before nailing down his No.1 spot ahead of the Copa America,” Sportingnews wrote.
Animated with antics whereas saving penalties, and bobbing round beneath the bar, sniggering, muttering, celebrating and cussing, Martinez packs in fairly a present, making him a fan-favourite.
Slow to take off with the nationwide crew, his run by way of the title profitable Copa to this World cup closing has been fairly dramatic. “Martinez has developed a reputation for grabbing chances that fall his way, and he endeared himself in the eyes of Argentina fans after his penalty saving antics en route to them winning the trophy last year, ” Sportingnews wrote.
The telenovela in the meantime ran for 85 episodes, and spawned film spin offs and musicals. Dibu’s reputation solely saved rising, and Martínez who was 6 when the sequence took off has carried the legend of the cartoon ahead.
Lower tiers of Eng in 2012
A decade again when Messi had blasted 93 objectives in a single season at Camp Nou, Martinez was nonetheless taking part in for Oxford United within the decrease tiers of England. He arrived in England, leaving Argentina at 17-years-old to affix the Gunners in January 2012. But after a goalkeeping disaster at Oxford, he was loaned out to the soccer league aspect.
After Martinez cracked the primary crew as first alternative keeper, proper earlier than Copa, he had shortly impressed Messi. Stopping three penalties from Colombia, he had Messi gushing. “It was a tough game but we deserved to win. We had to dig deep at times when they were coming onto us, but we have ‘Dibu’ and he’s a phenomenon. I’m really happy for him, he deserves it,” Messi would inform TyC sports activities.
