Emi Martinez ready for a 'fight' in order to be granted his Aston Villa wish

Joseph Chapman

20 June 2024 at 4:02 am·2-min read

Emi Martinez won the 2023 Yashin Trophy and Lionel Messi picked up the Ballon d'Or — -Credit: (Image: PA)

Emiliano Martinez is quoted back in his native Argentina as saying that he is willing to 'fight a little more' with Aston Villa in order to secure his dream - a shot at Olympic gold later this summer. Martinez, heralded widely as the world's best goalkeeper, won the World Cup in the winter of 2022 and has since enjoyed success at club level too. Now, he wants Villa's permission to extend his summer.

Former Arsenal keeper Martinez, who turns 32 later this year, has emphasised that it is his ambition to represent La Albiceleste in the Olympic Games, which take place in Paris from the end of July onwards. That'd follow a Copa America tilt with Argentina, who are looking to defend their 2021 title when they beat Brazil in the final.

It'd be a quick turnaround for Martinez in this scenario; say the Argentines reached the final of Copa America (held in the USA), they'd be playing through until 14 July. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is on 26 July but the football kicks off two days earlier and Argentina play Morocco. They also play Iraq and Ukraine in their group, before the quarter finals on 2 August, the semi-finals on 5 August and the final on 9 August.

READ: Villa's new signing was 'speechless' after transfer as he makes clear his intention

READ: Who is Enzo Barrenechea? The midfielder Villa want after McKennie transfer twist

Villa, who kick off their new season with a trip to West Ham United on Saturday 17 August but have a hectic pre-season schedule beforehand including a tour to the USA themselves, have already blocked Thierry Henry, the France manager, from selecting Moussa Diaby and Lucas Digne from representing Les Bleus in their home country. Martinez, though, is desperate to play.

“It is a personal dream of mine to wear the gold,” Martinez is quoted as telling Argentinian outlet La Voz. “I know that my club did not let any national team player go, they blocked them all. I always put the Argentine team first and if I have to fight a little more with the club, I will.”

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Would you let Martinez play in the Olympics? Tell us in the comments

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