Former Reading FC loanee Emi Martinez is one game away from making history with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Just three years on from his spell at Reading, Martinez will represent his country in Sunday’s 2022 World Cup Final as Argentina take on defending champions France.
Martinez will become the first ever player to have played for Reading to feature in a World Cup Final if he starts on Sunday.
Martinez and Argentina now have their sights set on winning their first World Cup since 1986 as Lionel Messi looks to cap his international career with the biggest prize on the world stage.
He has already played a huge part in helping Argentina reach the final after saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarter-final
The Argentine goalkeeper played 18 Championship matches in 2019 where his outstanding displays helped the Royals avoid relegation under manager Jose Gomes.
He was one of five loan signings that Reading made in January 2019 that helped them push their way up the table and avoid the drop.
During his time at Arsenal, Martinez was sent out on several loan spells but was given his chance to shine at Reading which he seized and eventually forced his way in as the number one keeper at the Gunners the season after.
After an injury to Bernd Leno, Martinez was called upon for Arsenal and grasped his spot where he helped the club to win the FA Cup in 2020.
Martinez then moved to Aston Villa in September 2020 for £20million and has made almost 100 Premier League appearances for the Villans.
After impressing in the Premier League, Martinez made his international debut for Argentina in June 2021 in a 1-1 draw against Chile.
He has gone on to play an integral part in Argentina’s recent success which saw them win the 2021 Copa America.
Martinez played a heroic role as he made three saves in a penalty shootout win over Colombia in the semi-finals before keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Brazil in the final.
