Emiliano “Emi” Martinez is set to face off against some familiar faces from his club team, Aston Villa, as Argentina takes on England in a gripping World Cup semi-final. The charismatic goalkeeper will don the gloves for La Albiceleste in Atlanta, aiming to help his nation reach the final.
Under Thomas Tuchel’s leadership, the England squad has reached only their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final, but Aston Villa fans know well the man guarding Argentina’s goal. Since joining Villa Park in 2020, Martinez has emerged as a top-class keeper, bagging the prestigious FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2022, along with consecutive Yashin Trophies. His name is famously chanted by Villa fans on matchdays: “Emi Martinez, the world’s number one.”
However, loyal England supporters will have to set aside their appreciation for the 33-year-old when the two nations meet on Wednesday in what promises to be a semi-final for the ages. Ahead of the big game, here’s a glimpse into Martinez’s controversial moments, his unique security measures, and his hefty salary at Aston Villa.
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Martinez is no stranger to World Cup late-stage drama. In 2022, he was instrumental in Argentina’s dramatic victory over France in a penalty shootout, securing their third World Cup title. Yet, his celebrations made headlines for controversy. After receiving the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Martinez held the trophy to his crotch and made a thrusting gesture—an act that, while vulgar, spared him from a ban at the time.
Fast forward two years, Martinez repeated a similar gesture at a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Chile while holding a replica Copa America trophy. This led to a formal investigation, culminating in a two-game ban for the incident, as well as for slapping a TV camera during a following qualifier against Colombia.
Off the pitch, Martinez has invested heavily in his family’s security. Following the 2022 World Cup victory, he purchased a Belgian Malinois guard dog for £20,000. This breed is renowned for its use by elite military units like the SAS and US Navy SEALs. Martinez sourced his dog from Elite Protection Dogs, a company with over 35 years of experience supplying trained animals to high-profile clients, including former Premier League stars Hugo Lloris and Ashley Cole.
Though a £20,000 security dog might seem extravagant, Martinez’s earnings justify the investment. Initially earning around £60,000 per week upon his arrival at Villa, his remarkable performances quickly earned him a pay raise. In 2022, he signed an extension doubling his wage to £120,000 per week, and his current contract, signed in 2024, reportedly commands £150,000 per week—approximately £7.8 million annually.
This makes Martinez joint-highest earner at Aston Villa, sharing that status with Morgan Rogers and Boubacar Kamara. Intriguingly, on Wednesday night at Atlanta Stadium, Martinez will face several familiar Villa teammates, including Rogers, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins, adding an extra layer of excitement to this World Cup semi-final clash.