Not many people can say Lionel Messi asked them for them for a photo.
But that’s exactly what happened to Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez after last summer’s Copa America.
Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, furthered his claim as the greatest footballer in history by finally winning a major international tournament.
And the Paris Saint-Germain forward, for all his brilliance at the tournament, owed a lot to Martinez.
The 29-year-old saved four penalties over the duration of the competition and kept a clean sheet in the final against Brazil, winning the Golden Glove as a result of his performances.
Messi said after the victory over Brazil: “We have ‘Dibu’ and he’s a phenomenon.”
And while most would ask Messi for a picture after such an event, it was the other way around for Martinez.
Speaking to Ben Foster on the Watford goalkeeper’s YouTube channel ‘The Cycling GK’, Martinez said: “We won the Copa America, I’d just had a little shower and put some gel in my hair, I’ve still got the medal on, I was so happy with the medal – I had it on my chest for two or three days!
“Messi said, ‘Dibu- let’s have a picture together’. The main man asked me and I could not believe what was happening.
“I didn’t know what kind of picture he wanted. He put four trophies in there and we took a picture behind them all together. I look like a little kid with my thumbs up!”
In a candid chat with Foster, Martinez also gave his thoughts on the Premier League, revealing his admiration for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
When asked for his favourite ground to visit, he said: “I’ve got to say Spurs away. The modern stadium, it feels like you’re playing in the NFL.
“You get a massive dressing room. It feels like a final.”
And when asked to name the best goalkeeper in the world right now, Martinez added: “It’s not really about winning trophies, but I’ve got to say Mendy is doing well.
“He’s keeping clean sheets for fun, winning everything, he’s having a wonderful season again.
“I like his story as well – being 23-years old with no club. He got nothing for free.
“The fact that he’s winning everything now is amazing.”
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By: Sean O’Brien
Title: Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez tells story of photo with Lionel Messi and reveals why Tottenham is his favourite away day and Chelsea have best goalkeeper in Edouard Mendy
Sourced From: talksport.com/football/1060062/aston-villa-emi-martinez-lionel-messi-tottenham-chelsea-goalkeeper-edouard-mendy/
Published Date: Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:36:28 +0000
