Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has said he wants his teammates — not himself — to take centre stage when Argentina face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday in New York, as the South American giants chase back-to-back world titles.

Martinez Plays Down His Own Role

'I don't want to be making the headlines,' the 33-year-old said ahead of the final. 'I want my teammates and the manager to trust me. That's more important to me than making the headlines. I want my teammates to be the stars. Goalkeepers are the only ones who don't need to score goals. They don't have to be the protagonist. But if they need me, I will be there to help them, and if not, I will celebrate exactly the same way.'

Playing Through Pain

Martinez has battled a significant injury throughout the tournament. He fractured a bone in the ring finger of his right hand while warming up for Aston Villa ahead of the club's UEFA Europa League final win over Freiburg on 20 May. He returned to training with Argentina's squad in Kansas City on 12 June, just days before the team's tournament opener against Algeria.

'It still hurts,' he said. 'I knew it was going to hurt, I tried to avoid surgery. I consulted a great number of hand specialists in England, the United States and other countries. They said I'd have to undergo surgery. They told me I couldn't even train. After the Egypt game [in the round of 16] I could start training normally, and now I feel much better.'

Lessons From the 2022 World Cup Final

The former Arsenal player said he has drawn on the experience of Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph over France on penalties to stay composed under pressure this time around.

'In that final we were totally superior to France for 90 minutes,' he said. 'But I let in three goals [in the 120 minutes], and when that happens you are usually out of the tournament. I can concede goals, but in the next play I am the same player as always. I try not to let the pressure get to me.'

Assessing Spain's Threat

Martinez acknowledged that Spain's danger extends well beyond teenage forward Lamine Yamal, who has been one of the tournament's standout performers.

'Spain has a great team. I know many of them, because many play in the Premier League,' he said. 'It's not just Lamine. They have players who work for the team. They are in the final for a reason. They have their strengths, but so do we. I hope it's a final that goes down in history for the fans.'

The Goalkeeper's Philosophy

Martinez also offered a broader view of what makes an elite goalkeeper, pushing back against the idea that shot-stopping alone defines the position. 'Many people think good goalkeepers need to make great saves. It goes beyond that. It's your positioning, moving your line higher, being composed. My teammates are so good on the ball that they see calmness and safety when they look back, so that they can go forward with confidence,' he said.

With Argentina seeking to become the first nation to win three consecutive World Cups — and Martinez aiming to lift the trophy for the second time in three years — Sunday's final promises to be one of the most anticipated matches in recent football history.