LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa goalkeeper, lauded his fellow Argentina teammate, Lionel Messi, as the unparalleled embodiment of football accomplishment.
Martinez expressed his deep admiration for Messi, highlighting his remarkable impact on the pitch and off it.
With Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi has now clinched every major trophy in both club and international football, making him, in Martinez’s view, the sole player in history to have “completed football.”
In an interview with TV Publica, Martinez remarked, “He embodies the quintessential Argentine.
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“He’s a family man who devotes himself to his children and wife. He’s passionate about football, leaving nothing behind on the field.
“Messi sets the standard, and he’s probably the most globally renowned player.
The way he cherishes his family and nurtures his children is a source of pride.”
Martinez further elaborated, “I closely follow his example in this regard. He is the first and only player in history to have achieved the entirety of football.
“He concludes his career not just as an icon on the pitch but also as a person. I don’t need to tell him these things because he is well aware.
“He knows the extent of my admiration for him and how I support him on the field.”
Additionally, the 31-year-old goalkeeper shared a peculiar pre-final ritual he followed before the match against France on December 18, 2022.
He revealed, “The night before, I managed to sleep soundly. I always sleep well before games.
“On the day of the final, I took a three-hour nap. My pre-match snack was a ham and cheese sandwich, along with mate con mate.”
The reigning world champions’ next fixture will occur on October 12 when they face Paraguay in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.