Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martínez was a big reason why most analysts gave the Argentines the nod over France should the World Cup final advance to penalty kicks.
That’s exactly what happened Sunday, as Martínez helped prevent one of the biggest come-from-ahead disasters in tournament history by blocking two kicks after extra time:
https://twitter.com/GD10/status/1604546075448279041
“Emi Martinez wins the golden glove,” Gareth Davies wrote. “And then he does this with it.”
The attached video shows Martinez accepting the award, passing a platoon of international dignitaries that included French president Emmanuel Macron, and then thrusting his pelvis into the base of the prestigious trophy.
Here’s what the still image looks like:
Emi Martínez after winning the Golden Glove 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/N5WspWTibf
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 18, 2022
The funniest part, however, is that Martínez is known for his special relationships with other prestigious trophies, like the COPA Americas Trophy in the summer of 2021.
The pelvic thrust seen around the world divided Twitter’s opinion on whether it was profane or humorous:
People: there are plenty of the fish in the sea.
The fish in the sea: https://t.co/Y9cf4ZJDhh— Andrea Diaz (@Drea__Diaz) December 18, 2022
“People: there are plenty of the fish in the sea. The fish in the sea…” Andrea Diaz wrote.
God help me with Martinez. https://t.co/xIgJP41HDI
— Nduka Orjinmo (@ndukaorjinmo) December 18, 2022
“God help me with Martinez,” Nduka Orjinmo wrote.
The World Cup trophy ceremony, one of the most prestigious and most-watched moments in sport
Emi Martinez: pic.twitter.com/Wwvxe15Rtb
— Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) December 18, 2022
“The World Cup trophy ceremony, one of the most prestigious and most-watched moments in sport,” wrote Football Ramble.
Our goalkeeper! 😆. What a guy. What a player. Emi Martinez follows in the footsteps of those including Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Manuel Neuer & Thibaut Courtois to win Golden Glove! 🧤 #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Ng5Jng0rit
— Ashley Preece (@PreeceObserver) December 18, 2022
“Our keeper!” wrote Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece wrote. “What a guy. What a player. Emi Martinez follows in the footsteps of those including Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Manuel Neuer & Thibaut Courtois to win Golden Glove.”
In Martínez’s defense, it was the same celebration he pulled when he saved the second penalty:
The Emi Martinez celebration after saving two consecutive penalties in the #CopaAmerica semifinal 😂😅 pic.twitter.com/HuxmRS3HeA
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) July 7, 2021
Love him or hate him, he’s a World Cup champion.
