8 Things You Didn’t Know About Emiliano Martinez

Emiliano Martinez Romero (born September 2, 1992) is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Argentina national team. In every game, he has wowed his fans with his spectacular performance.   Hence, we’ve gathered some unknown facts that will undoubtedly pique your interest.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Emiliano Martínez

1. His Nick Name

He was given the nickname “Dibu” (abbreviation of Dibujo, Spanish for Drawing) after an animated character in the Argentine television series. When he was a young player at Club Atlético Independiente at the time when the TV series was popular. ^[1]

2. Started His Football Career At An Early Age

When he was 16, his football prodigy career was already on the right track. In fact, when an Arsenal scout saw him, he had already begun playing for Argentina’s Under 17s. ^[2]

3. An Advice To Remember

Martinez told the Argentine newspaper La Noticia Impostura that Jens Lehmann was a huge help to him when he first arrived at the club and gave him advice that he always remembered and had tattooed on his back in Gothic script: “Now this mountain I must climb feels like the world upon my shoulders Through the clouds I see love shine, it keeps me warm as life grows colder”

4. Would Have Become A Scientist

If Martines had not become a footballer, he would have become a “scientist,” as he had been accepted at the Institute of Innovation and Technology in Buenos Aires before joining Arsenal.

5. Passion For Football Runs In His Blood

He comes from an athletic family. His brother Martn plays striker for Recreativo Huelva in Spain’s second division, his uncle was an Olympic silver medalist in the pole vault in 1980, and his father was the Argentine Street Luge champion for six consecutive years between 1986 and 1991.

6. Lionel Messi Labelled Him As a Phenomenon

Argentina teammate Lionel Messi dubbed Emiliano Martinez a “phenomenon” for his three shoot-out saves in Argentina’s Copa America semi-final victory over Colombia. ^[3]

7. Love Of His Life

Martnez has been married to Amanda “Mandinha” (née Gama), a Portuguese businesswoman, since 2017. The couple has a son named Santi and a daughter named Ava.

8. Got A Proper Chance After The Injury Of Bernd Leno

Martinez didn’t get his chance until first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno went down with a major injury in June 2020. Martinez, never one to pass up an opportunity like this, continued to shine for the rest of the season.