Emiliano Martinez has reaffirmed his ambition to win trophies with Aston Villa following his second consecutive Yashin Trophy win. Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper, received this honor at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, marking him as the world’s top goalkeeper for the second year in a row.
He became the first player to achieve this back-to-back recognition.
Martinez played a crucial role last season in helping Villa secure a fourth-place Premier League finish and reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
Additionally, he contributed significantly to Argentina’s Copa America victory over the summer. Despite his individual accolades, the 32-year-old maintains that team success is his primary focus.
Reflecting on his achievement, Martinez said, “I don’t see myself as the best—there are so many talented goalkeepers I watch every week.
What matters most to me are team titles, both with Argentina and with Villa.” Known for his dedication and work ethic, he also expressed his commitment to self-improvement with the support of his coaches.
Martinez, who joined Aston Villa from Arsenal for £20 million four years ago, signed a five-year contract extension earlier this year, indicating his long-term commitment to the club. He outshone other top goalkeepers, including Unai Simon, Andriy Lunin, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Mike Maignan, to claim the Yashin Trophy again.
Reflecting on his journey from a young boy in Argentina to his current success in England, Martinez stated, “Winning even one national team cap was a dream, so to be here with back-to-back Yashin Trophies is beyond what I expected.
I owe this to my family and friends.” Martinez’s passion for the game and his determination to help Villa achieve new heights remain as strong as ever.