History of Emiliano Martínez in Timeline

Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero, nicknamed 'Dibu', is a professional Argentine footballer renowned as a goalkeeper. He currently plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League and the Argentina national team. Martínez is highly regarded for his skill in saving penalty kicks, establishing him as one of the world's best goalkeepers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 1992: Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero's Birth

In September 1992, Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero, known as Dibu, was born. He is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Aston Villa and the Argentina national team.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Played in junior international matches

From 2009, Emiliano Martínez represented Argentina in junior international matches, playing on under-17 levels.

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

2010: Moved to Arsenal

In 2010, Emiliano Martínez moved from Independiente's youth ranks to Premier League club Arsenal. He served as an understudy and was loaned to various clubs.

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 in junior international matches

Until 2011, Emiliano Martínez represented Argentina in junior international matches, playing on under-20 levels.

May 2012: Emergency loan to Oxford United

In May 2012, after injuries to Ryan Clarke and Wayne Brown, and the termination of Connor Ripley's loan, Emiliano Martínez went on emergency loan to Oxford United, making his debut in the Football League in their final game of the season against Port Vale. Port Vale won 3–0.

October 2013: Transferred to Sheffield Wednesday on emergency loan

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

2014: Arsenal win the 2014 FA Community Shield

On August 10, 2014, after returning to Arsenal, Emiliano Martínez was an unused substitute as Arsenal won the FA Community Shield with a 3–0 win over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

March 2015: Joined Rotherham United on emergency loan

On March 20, 2015, Emiliano Martínez joined Championship club Rotherham United on an emergency loan until the end of the season.

2015: Joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan

On August 2, 2015, Emiliano Martínez was an unused substitute as Petr Čech played for Arsenal in the Community Shield, a 1–0 win over Chelsea. On August 11, he joined Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan.

2016: Premier League appearance for Arsenal

In June 2020, Emiliano Martínez made his first Premier League appearance for Arsenal since the 2016–17 season after Bernd Leno was injured.

2016: Played for Arsenal in the Premier League

In the 2016 season, Emiliano Martínez played five matches for Arsenal, including two Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

August 2017: Joined Getafe on loan

On August 2, 2017, Emiliano Martínez joined La Liga club Getafe on a season-long loan.

2017: Marriage to Amanda "Mandinha"

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. He made his debut on January 29 against Bolton Wanderers.

October 2019: Second senior call up

On October 9 and 13, 2019, Emiliano Martínez received his second senior call up against Germany and Ecuador.

2019: Broke into Arsenal's starting line-up

In 2019, Emiliano Martínez broke into Arsenal's starting line-up, featuring in the Premier League and helping the club win the FA Cup and FA Community Shield.

June 2020: Premier League appearance for Arsenal

In June 2020, Emiliano Martínez made his first Premier League appearance for Arsenal since the 2016–17 season after Bernd Leno was injured.

September 2020: Moved to Aston Villa

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

2020: Speculation about leaving Arsenal

In 2020, after starting in the Community Shield which Arsenal won on penalties, there was much speculation that Emiliano Martínez would leave the club.

June 2021: International debut and Copa América debut

In June 2021, Emiliano Martínez made his international debut for Argentina in a 1–1 draw with Chile in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match. He also made his Copa América debut against the same opponent, saving a penalty from Arturo Vidal. On July 6, Martínez saved three spot kicks in a 3-2 penalty shootout victory for Argentina over Colombia in the semi-final of the tournament

2021: Won Copa América and received Golden Glove award

In 2021, Emiliano Martínez earned his first senior cap for Argentina and won the 2021 Copa América with the team, receiving the Golden Glove award.

January 2022: Signed contract extension with Aston Villa

On January 21, 2022, Emiliano Martínez signed a three-year contract extension with Aston Villa, keeping him contracted until the end of the 2026–27 season.

June 2022: Won Finalissima with Argentina

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

December 2022: Welcome reception in Mar del Plata

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: Penalty shoot-out statistics

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 percent success rate for opponents. Combining the 59 penalties faced by Martínez in regulation and competitive shoot-outs during that time span, Martínez saved 13 and seen five missed outright – a 69.5 percent conversion rate.

2022: Won FIFA World Cup and voted best goalkeeper

In 2022, Emiliano Martínez won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament, also being named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper.

2022: Criticism for lacking sportsmanship

In 2022, Hugo Lloris criticized Martinez's approach to penalties for lacking sportsmanship after the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

2022: International debut and Copa América debut

April 2023: Made 100th Premier League appearance for Aston Villa

On April 1, 2023, Emiliano Martínez made his 100th Premier League appearance for Aston Villa in a 2–0 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

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

April 2024: Saved two penalties against Lille

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

June 2024: Selected for 2024 Copa América

On June 15, 2024, Emiliano Martínez was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América.

July 2024: Penalty shoot-out statistics

As of July 2024, in Emiliano Martínez's four penalty shoot-outs with Argentina, opponents have scored only 12 times from 24 attempts, a 50 percent conversion rate, with Martínez saving nine spot kicks, with the other three misses being off-target.

July 2024: Won 2024 Copa América and Golden Glove

On July 14, 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 long-term contract with Aston Villa

In August 2024, Emiliano Martínez switched his shirt number to 23. On August 21, 2024, Emiliano Martínez signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa, lasting until 2029.

September 2024: Banned by FIFA for violating fairplay

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

December 2024: Won Premier League Save of the Month award

In December 2024, Emiliano Martínez won the Premier League Save of the Month award for a goal line save against Nottingham Forest.

2024: Won Copa América and awarded Golden Glove for the third time

In 2024, Emiliano Martínez won the Copa América and was awarded the Golden Glove for the third time. He was also named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper for a record second time.

2024: Theatrical methods of intimidation highlighted

In 2024, Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic highlighted Emiliano Martinez's "theatrical methods of intimidation" during penalty shoot-outs.

2026: Contracted to Villa

On January 21, 2022, Emiliano Martínez signed a three-year contract extension with Aston Villa, keeping him contracted until the end of the 2026–27 season.