Overview
- Following Argentina’s World Cup qualifying victory over Venezuela on his 33rd birthday, Emiliano Martínez responded to a compliment by saying, “No, el mejor arquero es Armani.”
- The exchange occurred during a media and fan interaction after the match, where Martínez was being lauded as the country’s greatest goalkeeper.
- Franco Armani started for Argentina from 2018 to 2021, logging 19 appearances with 18 goals conceded and eight clean sheets.
- Martínez assumed the No. 1 role in 2021 after Armani’s COVID-19 absence and became pivotal in penalty shootouts that propelled Argentina to Copa América success, later helping win the 2022 World Cup.
- Local reports also note Martínez reached 54 national-team appearances against Venezuela, tying Ubaldo Fillol for second-most caps by an Argentina goalkeeper behind Sergio Romero’s 96.