Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez continues to shine both for his club and his national team, Argentina. Recently, the 32-year-old achieved yet another career milestone by winning the prestigious Yashin Award for the second consecutive year.
This honor, given to the world’s best goalkeeper, solidifies Martínez’s place as one of the top talents in his position, and he’s the first player ever to receive the award twice. His latest accolade has brought immense pride not only to fans and teammates but especially to his father, Beto Martínez.
Beto, who shared his emotional reaction to his son’s success in an interview with Super Deportivo Radio’s Radio Villa Trinidad, described the overwhelming pride he feels in watching Emiliano’s journey. The story was later relayed by TyC Sports, capturing the moving moments that remind fans of the family support behind Martínez’s accomplishments.
Emiliano Martínez has become an integral part of Aston Villa’s success in recent years, playing a significant role in helping the club secure a Champions League spot for the first time in over four decades. His performances on the international stage have been equally impactful; he was a key figure in Argentina’s Copa América win, further demonstrating his exceptional abilities. This combination of club and international success has left little doubt in his father’s mind that his son is currently the best goalkeeper in the world.
Beto was full of admiration and emotion when he heard Emiliano’s name announced for the Yashin Award. “There’s no longer any doubt that he’s the best goalkeeper in the world,” he declared.
“As a dad, it’s unique. Winning the Yashin Award isn’t very easy, and Emi did it twice. Now, there’s no doubt that he is the best goalkeeper in the world.” For Beto, his son’s achievements were not just a matter of skill and accolades but were tied to a much deeper, more personal sense of fulfillment and nostalgia.
Reflecting on his memories of Emiliano’s childhood, Beto said that hearing his son’s name called to receive such a prestigious award brought him back to the early days in their family’s yard, where Emiliano first began to show his talent. “When I heard his name, it went through my head—the yard, where he was born, the kids when he went to train… You can imagine, you start to tear up; it brings back beautiful memories,” he shared. “To come out of a yard and be the best goalkeeper in the world twice, it’s not easy.”
For Beto, the joy of watching Emiliano reach such heights has been heightened by the fact that his son has remained humble and unchanged despite his success. Emiliano’s down-to-earth personality and loyalty to his family and friends have brought a special kind of pride to his father. “I can’t believe he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. I keep crying. I keep getting emotional. The only thing I take with me as a dad is that he never changed,” Beto explained. “He’s still the same Emi as always, the same teammate and friend as always. He’s still the best son of all. That’s what was good for me, then they win the awards individually.”
This heartfelt message from Beto Martínez sheds light on the powerful influence family support has had on Emiliano’s career. For Emiliano, maintaining close ties to his roots and the values instilled by his family has been as crucial as his talent on the field. The story of Martínez’s journey, as seen through his father’s eyes, reflects the power of resilience, humility, and staying true to oneself, even when reaching the pinnacle of professional success.