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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Keeper starred at 2021 Copa America</li><li>Helped to secure global crown at Qatar 2022</li><li>Stock has soared with club &amp; country</li></ul>

‘Terrible personality’ – Emi Martinez’s Argentina team-mate jokes about how World Cup-winning goalkeeper has ‘changed’ after becoming penalty shootout hero

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

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Premier League

Aston Villa

Crystal Palace

The Aston Villa shot-stopper saw his stock soar when helping the Albiceleste to Copa America glory in 2021. He helped to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/emi-martinez-swaps-lewd-love-golden-glove-celebration-argentina-goalkeeper-relax-trophy-warning-rivals-copa-america/blt6b4318d3db530afb" target="_blank">successfully defend that crown in 2024</a>, while also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-emiliano-martinez-argentina-recreate-golden-glove-celebration-world-cup-trophy-lionel-messi/blt5053746f9fd93069" target="_blank">becoming a World Cup winner at Qatar 2022</a> – with a reputation being earned as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/animal-in-goal-emi-martinez-crazy-penalty-record-shootout-heroics-lionel-messi-argentina-copa-america-quarter-finals/blt2921170906f12337" target="_blank">a penalty-saving specialist</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Martinez’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/psyching-out-bruno-fernandes-world-cup-who-taught-emi-martinez-wind-up-penalty-takers/blt714a98c13d836d2e" target="_blank">antics during shootouts have become the stuff of legend</a>, with the 31-year-old becoming one of the most reliable custodians in the global game. He had been a relative unknown prior to bursting onto the international scene, with Otamendi poking fun at how fame has gone to his fellow countryman’s head.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Otamendi, who formed part of Argentina’s squad at the 2024 Olympic Games, has told <a href="https://tntsports.com.ar/seleccion/dibu-martinez-arquero-callado-cambio-20240730-0030.html " target="_blank">TNT Sports</a> of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dibu-moron-argentina-goalkeeper-emi-martinez-branded-unbearable-cristian-romero-copa-america/blt21fe9da3b5f0c4b2" target="_blank">Martinez’s transformation</a>: “Dibu was a very quiet goalkeeper, he wasn’t what he is now. After Colombia [at the 2021 Copa America] he changed completely, we found another version of him. I don’t know if his brother, who is very similar, started to play as a goalkeeper or what, but that’s when he started to change. He has a terrible personality!”

WHAT OTAMENDI SAID

Martinez is up to 45 caps for Argentina and had been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-emi-martinez-denied-gold-medal-bid-right-decision-aston-villa-prevent-world-cup-winning-goalkeeper-argentina-squad-2024-olympic-games-paris/blta778032bbd146680" target="_blank">hoping to head to Paris himself this summer, before seeing Villa block that path</a>. He will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Villans – who have Champions League football on the agenda this season – open their 2024-25 campaign away at West Ham.

WHAT NEXT?

‘Terrible personality’ – Emi Martinez’s Argentina team-mate jokes about how World Cup-winning goalkeeper has ‘changed’ after becoming penalty shootout hero | Goal.com

Nicolas Otamendi has joked about how Argentina keeper Emi Martinez has “changed” and boasts a   “terrible personality” after becoming a national hero.