The Olympics have been a topic of interest and debate in recent years, particularly as national teams have begun sending strong squads to compete in the football tournament. Consequently, many players have been overplayed, leading to recurring injuries, with notable examples such as Pedri
This time, the headlines aren’t just about young talents; many senior players have also been invited by their U23 national team coaches to join the team and help them win the gold medal. This has been the case with defending World Cup champions Argentina as well, since shocking reports came out this morning regarding one of their world cup winners.
Emi Martinez open to joining Lionel Messi for Olympics duty
Since the U23 national teams participating in the Olympics are allowed to have 3 senior team players according to the regulations, reports have confirmed that Argentina’s U23 national team manager, Javier Mascherano, has openly invited Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria to come join his team for the Olympics and help them win gold in Paris, as they have huge chances of winning after the Brazil U23 national team failed to qualify for the same.
In response to that, recent reports have come out stating that Yashin Trophy winner Emiliano Martinez has offered himself to the U23 national team for the Paris Olympics and would be willing to join Messi and Di Maria in the tournament if the Argentina senior team is not able to do well in the Copa America 2024.
He also expressed that considering that the team does well in Copa America, chances should be given to the youngsters in the Olympics, as they are vital for the future of the national team. After recent controversies regarding the 2026 Olympics being hosted in the USA, the 2024 Paris Olympics is in sight and fans are awaiting the big stars’ decision.
Emi Martinez, who already boasts the Copa America win in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup victory in 2022, has his sights set on success in the Copa 2024. However, should his team face unfortunate outcomes in the tournament, he remains resolute in his determination to secure an Olympic gold for Argentina, completing his international trophy cabinet.
While Messi, who has found a new exciting teammate in Federico Redondo, has yet to speak in this regard, Di Maria has already confirmed that he will be taking his international retirement after the Copa 2024, which could mean his unavailability for the Olympics as of now until the player himself changes his decision.
Emi Martinez’s form this season for Villa
The Argentina national team goalkeeper and 2022 FIFA Golden Glove winner Emi Martinez has played for many clubs in his career, with the likes of Arsenal, Wolves, Getafe, and Aston Villa included in the list. Currently, the player is playing for Premier League side Aston Villa and he has been an undisputed starter at goal for the Unai Emery side.
Emi Martinez joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2020 from Arsenal for a transfer fee of 17.5 million euros, which seemed huge at the time but seems to be less now after his consistently brilliant displays for the club. After being a bench player in his initial days for the club, the goalkeeper burst into the scene when he had to fill in for the starting goalkeeper’s replacement after he got injured during a match.
Since then, the player has not looked backward. Currently playing in his fourth season for the club, the Argentine goalkeeper has played 31 matches, conceding just 39 goals in all competition for the club and has also kept 10 clean sheets as well.
These numbers are marvelous and are the foundation of the reason why Aston Villa has been playing such good football in recent times under Unai Emery, even competing for the Champions League spot in the Premier League this season.
There is no doubt that Emi Martinez is a world-class goalkeeper, but he should be giving chances for the young goalkeeper on the national team to play their hearts out in the Olympics. Do you think the 31-year-old should give chances to the young players at the Paris Olympics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
