Argentine Goalkeeper Played World Cup With Broken Finger

Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper, played all eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite suffering a fractured finger. He sustained the injury on May 20, 2026, during a warm-up match for Aston Villa’s Europa League final against Freiburg.

Martinez continued to compete throughout the tournament, using specially designed gloves and training with volleyballs instead of regular footballs. He described the injury as severely affecting his ability to catch the ball, with his finger slipping in the wrong direction during saves.

After returning to Birmingham, Martinez visited a hospital for an X-ray, which confirmed the fracture. Despite the injury, he received support from Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who assured him his place on the team was secure regardless of his recovery timeline.

Martinez opted to delay surgery to play in the World Cup, relying on a plastic cast, bandages, and extra protection. Adidas created a special goalkeeper glove for his injured hand, but he still felt the pain, describing it as affecting his performance at a level of ten out of ten.

The injury impacted his training and match preparation, forcing him to use volleyballs until the Switzerland game. However, a turning point came during the match against Egypt, where he resumed normal training with regular footballs after the team faced a close call with elimination.

Even after the World Cup, Martinez’s finger remained broken, as confirmed by a follow-up X-ray. He stated he would eventually need surgery but continued to play through the pain. His injury also influenced his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea, as an Italian club reportedly withdrew interest due to the fracture.

Martinez’s latest comments have highlighted the challenges he faced during the tournament, including ongoing pain and the need for surgery. Despite these setbacks, he continued to play for both his national team and club, facing additional injuries such as a fractured jaw during his time at Chelsea.