Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has said he is considering his international future after its defeat to Spain in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the 33-year-old said he would take time to “figure out how to move forward, and decide if it’s time to step aside.”
Martinez was one of few Argentina players to put on a strong showing in the final against Spain as it struggled to compete at all. He played every minute of the tournament, keeping two clean sheets.
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“I dreamed of winning it again; I dreamed of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more,” he said. “Honestly, the pain is hard to put into words; now I have to reflect on a lot of things, figure out how to move forward, and decide if it’s time to step aside.”
“I am so sorry; I truly gave it my all to help my country and my teammates,” the statement concluded.
Published on Jul 21, 2026
