The more they goad him, the more he loves it. The angrier they become, the happier he is. Emiliano Martinez is one of the French sporting public’s greatest villains and as he prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, the Aston Villa goalkeeper would not have it any other way.
Ever since Martinez cast his spell on France in the 2022 World Cup final, making an astonishing save in extra-time from Randal Kolo Muani before France missed two kicks in the penalty shootout, he has been the footballer they love to hate in this country.
His behaviour after helping Argentina to victory, including a lewd gesture with the Golden Glove trophy and the tasteless taunting of Kylian Mbappe, made French fans even more wedded to their opinions. Some in the game even believe his conduct may have cost him a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Martinez is likely to be booed relentlessly in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final and PSG attacker Desire Doue, who watched the 2022 final on television, is already fired up.
‘He’s a goalkeeper like any other, he played for Argentina, so obviously there’s a feeling of revenge for the French internationals,’ said Doue. ‘I’ve never faced him yet, but the aim will be to score as many goals as possible against him.’
Strange to think, then, that Unai Emery was not convinced by Martinez when he took charge of Villa in autumn 2022.
Emiliano Martinez was pictured wearing a cap with a French cockerel alongside images of Argentina’s recent triumphs on Tuesday as the Aston Villa goalkeeper trolled France and PSG
The Argentine is public enemy No 1 in France on the back of the World Cup final in 2022
He played a key role in helping Argentina win the tournament and his antics received backlash
Martinez is likely to be booed relentlessly in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final
PSG manager Luis Enrique (right) and his players will look to pepper Martinez’s goal with shots
He is thought to have been uncomfortable with some of the 32-year-old’s antics at the World Cup and Mail Sport understands he considered trying to replace him the following summer, with Moroccan goalkeeper Bono and David Raya, who then rejoined Arsenal from Brentford, among his targets.
Emery was also uncertain about Martinez’s ability with the ball at his feet and the Villa coach was particularly frustrated after the 4-2 home defeat by Arsenal in February 2023. Venturing forward for a corner in search of an equaliser, Martinez was stranded when the ball was cleared, allowing Arsenal to break away and make the game safe.
Now Emery would never do without Martinez, always introduced as ‘the world’s No 1’ by the stadium announcer at Villa Park. The five-year deal he signed last August elevated Martinez into Villa’s top salary bracket, though Youri Tielemans is thought to lead the way on about £200,000 a week.
French TV station Canal Plus sent a reporter to Emery’s pre-match press conference at Bodymoor Heath last Friday simply to ask Emery about Martinez. Emery’s answer was fairly standard but when pushed specifically on Martinez’s personality, he is usually more forthcoming. ‘I like him as he is,’ Emery says. ‘We play football with a lot of emotion and when he plays for Argentina, there is a lot of emotion with the supporters.
‘You know rival fans are going to defend their team and use words to upset us and it’s the same when players play for their national teams. They are defending the colours of their countries in these important competitions. We are mature enough always to be in balance.
‘Emiliano Martinez is getting better. When I arrived two-and-a-half years ago, he was very good but he’s better now in everything. As a person he is more mature, more responsible. He is achieving his individual objectives as well.’
Though John McGinn is the Villa captain, Martinez is the band leader. The team seem to shrink when he does not play, which is why the hamstring pain he suffers periodically has to be managed so carefully.
So dedicated is Martinez to improving that often Villa coaches have to drag him off the training ground, for fear he will tweak that troublesome hamstring through over-work.
Unai Emery says he likes his keeper ‘as he is’ after having previously considered selling him
He is vocal and a leader in Villa’s squad – the band leader despite not being the club captain
Don’t believe anyone who tells you Martinez has only ever had eyes for Villa, though – some of Europe’s top clubs were sounded out after the World Cup
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He has demanded a rebound net to help him react more quickly to deflected shots and does yoga, Pilates and swimming to aid recovery. ‘He always wants to stay out there five more minutes, just face one more shot, one more penalty,’ former Villa keeper coach Neil Cutler has said.
Not only is Martinez vocal and influential within the first-team squad, he tries regularly to encourage players in Villa’s age-group teams to be as committed and professional as possible.
Don’t believe anyone who tells you Martinez has only ever had eyes for Villa, though. Mail Sport understands that top clubs in Europe were sounded out discreetly after the World Cup to see whether they might bid. There were even those who thought Martinez’s friendship with Lionel Messi might pave the way for a move.
Yet there was never a bite. The big three in Spain had top-class goalkeepers, PSG was never an option after the jousting with Mbappe, and neither Manchester United nor Chelsea fancied paying the world-record price for a goalkeeper Villa would have demanded. Either would jump at the chance to take him now, but it is surely too late.
Martinez reminds you of the 2004 version of Jose Mourinho. Utterly confident in his own ability and unafraid to say so. Ready to push the boundaries as far as possible to gain an edge, particularly in penalty shoot-outs. Loved by those on his own side; feared, disliked and grudgingly admired by opponents. Both are conductors of their orchestra.
‘I don’t apologise (for them),’ Martinez has said of his antics. ‘I don’t swear. I don’t insult anyone. I just try to help my team – that’s all. I never insult any religion, any player. I never try to wind fans up. I don’t cross a line, I never do. I respect families and countries and I will never cross that line.’
Fans in this city would beg to differ. A fiery evening is in prospect and Villa need Martinez at his spiky best.
