Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is not only a hero for Argentina, but also for Messi himself, helping the number 10 avoid becoming the team’s villain.

After Nicholas Otamendi’s shot, the NRG Stadium stands exploded with Argentina’s thrilling victory. Lionel Messi celebrated more calmly than usual.

He almost became the sinner when he was the only Albiceleste player to miss a penalty. Once again, No. 10 had to thank Emiliano Martinez – Argentina’s hero who saved 2 penalties from Ecuador.

Perhaps in 10 years of ups and downs in his career, especially in the Argentina national team, hardly anyone has created a special relationship with Messi like Emiliano Martinez. This is not the first time the goalkeeper born in 1992 has helped Messi, leading Argentina through the gates of death.

At the 2021 Copa America – Messi’s first title with the national team, Emiliano Martinez played excellently in his first tournament with Argentina. He saved 3 penalties from Colombia, bringing the home team to the final before winning the championship.

A year later, Emiliano Martinez played alongside Lionel Messi at the 2022 World Cup. Argentina started off with a struggle, but as they progressed they showed the qualities of a strong candidate for the championship. Argentina won dramatic victories thanks to Martinez’s excellent penalty shootout saves to reach the top of the world.

In the quarter-final against the Netherlands, Emiliano Martinez saved two shots from Virgil Van Dijk and Steven Berghuis. In the final, the goalkeeper denied Kolo Randal Muani a clear-cut goal to send the match into penalties. In that fateful shootout, Martinez again showed his penalty-saving qualities to bring the fateful trophy to Messi and the Argentines.

Perhaps Emiliano Martinez is the embodiment of Argentina’s mettle in Qatar. People are all too familiar with Martinez’s arrogant style of play and his excellent ability to control the goal. In a position where players often have to face life-and-death moments, deciding the outcome of the match, Martinez is never afraid.

He brought that style and psychological tricks to the high-stakes penalty shootouts. Perhaps it is no coincidence that luck often favoured him and Argentina.

Messi also had to praise his teammate’s ability. ” We know that when the game goes to penalties, Emiliano Martinez will do everything in our favor .”

Martinez’s eccentricity was once again evident in today’s quarter-final against Ecuador. Argentina entered the penalty shootout with a heavy mentality. They were equalized in the final minutes when the ticket to the next round was close. In the first round, Messi also missed a shot. A dark prospect appeared. But Emiliano Martinez was there, blocking Angel Mena’s shot, celebrating wildly and lifting the team’s spirit.

Messi has won every major and minor title in his career. However, the 2024 Copa America still means something to him. This could be his last tournament with the national team. Nothing is better than a championship trophy to say goodbye to the fans. If Messi puts his hands on that trophy, he will not forget the moments of Emiliano Martinez today.