History of Emiliano Martínez in Timeline

Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez is a celebrated Argentine professional footballer. He currently excels as a goalkeeper for Aston Villa in the Premier League and for the Argentina national team. Renowned for his exceptional penalty-saving abilities, Martínez is highly regarded as one of the world's premier goalkeepers.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 1992: Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero born

In September 1992, Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero, known as Dibu, was born. He is an Argentine professional footballer recognized as a top goalkeeper.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Represented Argentina in junior international matches

In 2009, Emiliano Martínez represented Argentina in junior international matches.

2009: Invited to trial at Arsenal

In 2009, shortly after his 17th birthday, Emiliano Martínez was invited to trial at Arsenal and was initially offered a youth contract.

July 2010: Registered as an Arsenal player

In July 2010, Emiliano Martínez was formally registered as an Arsenal player after impressing in a trial and being approved for a work permit.

2010: Moved to Arsenal

In 2010, Emiliano Martínez moved from Independiente's youth ranks to Premier League club Arsenal.

June 2011: Called up to Argentina senior squad

In June 2011, Emiliano Martínez was called up to the Argentina senior squad to replace Oscar Ustari to face Nigeria.

2011: Played on under-20 levels for Argentina

In 2011, Emiliano Martínez continued representing Argentina, playing on under-20 levels.

May 2012: Emergency loan to Oxford United

In May 2012, due to injuries of other players, Emiliano Martínez went on emergency loan to Oxford United, making his debut in the Football League against Port Vale in League Two.

October 2013: Transferred to Sheffield Wednesday on loan

On October 15, 2013, Martínez transferred to Championship club Sheffield Wednesday on an emergency 28-day loan.

2014: Arsenal win 2014 FA Community Shield

In 2014, Emiliano Martínez was an unused substitute as Arsenal won the FA Community Shield against Manchester City. Soon after he made his Champions League debut and Premier League debut.

March 2015: Joined Rotherham United on loan

In March 2015, Emiliano Martínez joined Championship club Rotherham United on an emergency loan until the end of the season.

2015: Played for Arsenal in the Community Shield

On August 2, 2015, Emiliano Martínez was an unused substitute as new signing Petr Čech played for Arsenal in the Community Shield, a 1–0 win over rivals Chelsea.

2016: Premier League appearance

Emiliano Martínez made his first Premier League appearance since the 2016–17 season

2016: Played for Arsenal in the Premier League

Emiliano Martínez spent the 2016–17 season at Arsenal and played five matches during the campaign, including two Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

August 2017: Joined Getafe on loan

In August 2017, Emiliano Martínez joined La Liga club Getafe on a season-long loan.

2017: Marriage to Amanda "Mandinha" (née Gama)

In 2017, Emiliano Martínez married Amanda "Mandinha" (née Gama).

January 2019: Loaned to Reading

On January 23, 2019, Emiliano Martínez was loaned to Championship club Reading until the end of the season.

October 2019: Second senior call up against Germany and Ecuador

On 9 and 13 October 2019, Emiliano Martínez received his second senior call up against Germany and Ecuador; he was an unused substitute for both friendly matches.

2019: Broke into Arsenal's starting line-up

In 2019, Emiliano Martínez broke into Arsenal's starting line-up, after being loaned to various clubs.

June 2020: Returned to Premier League appearance

In June 2020, after Bernd Leno's injury, Emiliano Martínez made his first Premier League appearance since the 2016–17 season, which led to him being the first choice goalkeeper.

September 2020: Moved to Aston Villa

In September 2020, Emiliano Martínez moved to Aston Villa for £20 million.

2020: Speculation about leaving Arsenal

Following the 2020 Community Shield win, there was speculation that Emiliano Martínez would leave Arsenal, as he wanted to be first-choice keeper.

June 2021: International debut

On June 3, 2021, 28-year-old Emiliano Martínez made his international debut in a draw with Chile. He later made his competitive debut in the 2021 Copa América.

2021: Won Copa América with Argentina, receiving the Golden Glove award

In 2021, Emiliano Martínez won the Copa América with the Argentina national team and received the Golden Glove award as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

January 2022: Signed contract extension with Aston Villa

In January 2022, Emiliano Martínez signed a three-year contract extension with Aston Villa, securing his place until the end of the 2026–27 season.

June 2022: Argentina won the 2022 Finalissima

On June 1, 2022, Emiliano Martínez kept a clean sheet as Argentina won 3–0 against reigning European Champions Italy at Wembley Stadium in the 2022 Finalissima.

December 2022: Welcome reception at Las Toscas resort

In December 2022, after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Martínez received a welcome reception at Las Toscas resort, in Mar del Plata, with over 150,000 attendees.

2022: Saved penalties throughout career

By the end of 2022, Emiliano Martínez saved seven of the 35 penalties he has faced during matches throughout his career, as well as another three missed – resulting in a 71 per cent success rate for opponents.

2022: World Cup Qualification

In 2022, Emiliano Martínez made his international debut on 3 June 2021, in a 1–1 draw with Chile in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match

2022: Won FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Emiliano Martínez won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament.

2022: Participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final

In 2022, Hugo Lloris criticized Martínez's unsportsmanlike behavior during the penalty shoot-out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

April 2023: 100th Premier League appearance for Aston Villa

In April 2023, Emiliano Martínez made his 100th Premier League appearance for Aston Villa in a victory over Chelsea, breaking the club record for clean sheets in a goalkeeper's first 100 games.

2023: Received the Yashin Trophy

In 2023, Emiliano Martínez received the Yashin Trophy for the first time.

2023: Potential rule changes to discourage keepers' tactics

In 2023, The International Football Association Board was expected to change its rules to discourage keepers like Martínez from employing similar tactics in the future.

April 2024: Saved penalties in victory over Lille

On April 18, 2024, Emiliano Martínez saved two penalties in a 4–3 victory over Lille, which qualified Aston Villa to the Conference League semi-finals.

June 2024: Selected in squad for the 2024 Copa América

On 15 June 2024, Emiliano Martínez was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América. In the quarter-final match against Ecuador, he saved two penalty kicks following a 1–1 draw, securing his country's qualification to the semi-finals.

July 2024: Penalty Shoot-Out Success

As of July 2024, Emiliano Martínez has faced four penalty shoot-outs with Argentina, with opponents scoring only 12 out of 24 attempts.

July 2024: Won Golden Glove in 2024 Copa América

On 14 July 2024, Emiliano Martínez played the full match as Argentina defeated Colombia 1–0 after extra time in the 2024 Copa América final. Martínez was also named winner of the Golden Glove for the second time.

August 2024: Switched shirt number and signed new contract

In August 2024, Emiliano Martínez switched his shirt number to 23 and signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa, lasting until 2029.

September 2024: Banned by FIFA

On 28 September 2024, Emiliano Martínez was banned by FIFA from taking part in two matches for "violating principles of fairplay" in two separate incidents that occurred earlier that month.