The goalkeeper of the Argentine team that won the Qatar-2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martínez, called on the young goalkeepers to conquer “the fourth star”, speaking this Thursday before a crowd in Mar del Plata, his hometown.
“Having the third star and being the first from Mar del Plata to achieve it is not only a source of pride for me but also for all the boys, the archers, who have the dream of achieving the fourth“, said ‘I drew’.
More than 100,000 peopleAccording to local media, they gathered on Paseo Hermitage, in front of the beach, to cheer him on and display signs with the words “Draw, we love you.”
“This is something beautiful, that a goalkeeper receives this recognition, because this is almost always given to forwards,” said the goalkeeper who became an idol for his acrobatic saves and a hero in penalty shootouts.
Dibu Martínez was named as the Beloved Son of the General Pueyrredón party. The Deliberative Council resolved it through a decree. The recognition is for those born in the district who have “transcended and excelled at an international level.” pic.twitter.com/9qNj3iO10M
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) December 22, 2022
Martinez (30 years old) stopped one of the penalties in the dramatic definition in Doha. After a 2-2 draw with France in regular time and 3-3 in extra time, Argentina won 4-2 from 12 steps.
“I went to England at the age of 17 and when I started in the national team my dream was to bring a title to my city. I gave the Copa América (in Brazil-2021), we won the Cup Winners’ Cup at Wembley against the European champions (Finalissima against Italy) and we beat the last world champions (Russia-2018) in Qatar”, said the player who plays in English Aston Villa.
The entertainer asked him about his memorable save to Randal Kolo Muani in the final minute, with the score 3-3 and he replied: “It was incredible because we had been controlling the game for 70 minutes. I think it was one of the games we played the best. They got bigger and had a chance to win it, but until the ball doesn’t go in, there’s no reason to celebrate”.
DIBU MARTÍNEZ, HONORED IN MAR DEL PLATA!
The goalkeeper of the Argentine National Team was full of praise before the Captain of the team: “MY DREAM WAS TO GIVE LEO A TITLE IN THE SELECTION” pic.twitter.com/yVnCsgTaqN
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) December 22, 2022
Martinez was proclaimed the World Cup best goalkeeper. Community legislators presented a project for the city stadium, José María Minella, to bear his name.
The soccer player had been on the campus bus for the festivities on Tuesday, but could not reach the center of Buenos Aires due to the crowd of more than five million people.
Thus, Emiliano Martínez can afford to join the historic tennis player Guillermo Villas as the most famous Argentine athletes from the popular coastal city.