Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez met his die-hard followers in Kolkata on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who was named the Golden Glove winner on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is the primary reigning World Cup champion to go to town, and followers couldn’t get sufficient of him and, at one stage, jumped over barricades to get a glimpse of their hero from shut quarters. Fortunately, Martinez was whisked away by safety by then, however that was not earlier than the Argentine stated that he did discover similarities between town of pleasure and his residence nation.
“It is the passion for football that I find similar. I see that passion in young kids here,” he stated in the course of the “Tahader Kotha” chat present at Kolkata’s Milan Mela Ground.
Amidst the wild cheers of ‘Dibu’ ‘Dibu’ from the group, Martinez appeared comfy and having fun with the rapturous welcome.
Martinez appeared in a contented place and having fun with the break from the sport within the off season. When requested about his future targets, the Argentine stated there is just one.
#EmilianoMartinez arrives at Milan Mela and waves to his followers #Kolkata #WorldCup #Argentina pic.twitter.com/7VrehgbPy4
— Rahul ® (@RahulSadhu009) July 4, 2023
“We won everything there was to win, Copa America, 2022 Finalissima against Italy and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. But it does not end there. We want to win the next Copa America and the next FIFA World Cup as well,” he stated amidst large cheers.
Recalling Argentina’s profitable marketing campaign on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which started with Saudi Arabia surprising the Latin American nation with two second-half targets of their opening Group C match, Martinez stated, “It was my first defeat as an Argentine, and I was a bit sad.”
“But we had the best player in the world in our team – Lionel Messi,” he added.
But the win towards the Netherlands, 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic, feisty quarterfinal, actually set the ball rolling for one thing particular.
“When we beat the Netherlands in the quarterfinal, we knew something special was about to happen. The game went to a shootout, and I backed myself because I was accustomed to this,” Martinez revealed.
Martinez is famend for his aggressive type of goalkeeping. The 30-year-old is fearless in coming off his line and having a phrase or two with strikers. He additionally by no means shies away from being very vocal and animated in his communication. His psychological thoughts video games are his only weapon, which was fairly efficient within the finale.
“I practised my psychology the night before the final against France. I did this to generate chaos, and it worked. But FIFA changed the rules, but we won the World Cup (smiles),” he stated.
Martinez additionally spoke about how Messi was among the many first to understand his contributions after the shootout win.
“After the shootout, Messi came and hugged me and said – ‘I can’t believe you saved us again’. When the best player in the world says that, it is unbelievable,” he stated, getting a tad bit emotional.
When requested who amongst Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the best, he stated, “He (Messi) completed football. He is the best,” got here the reply from Martinez, signifying Messi’s unbelievable trophy cabinet, which now boasts each trophy the Argentine might win in his profession.
“Messi is a born winner, he was born to win, and he used to talk before every game in the World Cup. In the final, he said – ‘Thank you for everything you have done for me.’ And we ( other players in the team) all wanted to win it for him,” Martinez added.
Martinez was then requested who among the many present era of gamers might substitute Messi and Ronaldo, to which the Villa goalkeeper stated, “I have to say an Argentinian player.”
“But Messi is the best player ever, and there will be no Messi in the future. It will be hard to replace him. I hope to win the next Copa America with him,” he concluded.
Jampacked for the day and a little bit of chaos
Martinez has a decent schedule as he returned to his resort after pleasing his followers with a number of picture ops. In the night, he might be heading to the Mohun Bagan soccer membership, the place he’s slated to felicitate 10 Bengal goalkeepers, together with Bhaskar Ganguly and Hemanta Dora. He can even be attending an exhibition match which might be held between Mohun Bagan All Stars and Kolkata Police All-Stars.
All hell breaks free as followers bounce over barricades and rush to get a glimpse of #EmilianoMartinez in #Kolkata
The Argentine goalkeeper is rapidly whisked away by safety pic.twitter.com/8nINuR7PbI
— Rahul ® (@RahulSadhu009) July 4, 2023
But earlier within the day, Martinez was speculated to signal jerseys for followers who had purchased gold and platinum tickets. But no sooner did he depart the venue that supporters ( who purchased gold tickets ) began protesting, claiming they have been denied signed jerseys from the person himself.
Later on within the night, supporters have been handed jerseys signed by Martinez. However, one such fan who had come from Shantiniketan needed to depart the venue since he had a prepare to catch. “I bought a gold ticket but did not get a signed jersey and had a train to catch. So I had to leave. I hope they will courier it to me,” he stated.
