Emi Martinez issues shock update on international future after Argentina World Cup final defeat

Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez has suggested his international career may be over after losing to Spain in the World Cup final.

Despite making 11 saves – the most by any goalkeeper in World Cup final history – Martinez could not prevent Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner.

The final was Martinez’s eighth match of the tournament, having started all of Argentina’s matches, and his 67th cap overall.

Of course, the Aston Villa goalkeeper has already reached the top of the mountain in international football, playing an integral role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory with his late save from Randal Kolo Muani’s shot, keeping his side in the World Cup final in Qatar before going on to save a penalty in the shootout and, in doing so, helping La Albiceleste win their third World Cup and first since 1986.

However, following Sunday’s final in New York/New Jersey, Martinez was visibly upset and sat in the dugout crying while Spain’s players celebrated their triumph.

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Given Argentina’s average age was close to 30 throughout the World Cup, the next tournament – set to take place in 2030 – may see changes to the squad, with Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni’s futures uncertain.

Emi Martinez issues update on Argentina future

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Martinez appeared to hint that his international career could be over in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday.

Translated from Spanish to English, he wrote: "I dreamed of winning it again; I dreamed of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more.

"Honestly, the pain is hard to put into words. Now I have to reflect on many things, see how to move forward, and decide if it's time to step aside.

"I am truly sorry. I gave it my all to help my country and my teammates."

Messi also posted an emotional statement on social media, saying the "pain is immense" and it "will take some time to heal", without mentioning whether he'll retire from international football.

"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things," Messi said.

"The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again.

"It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.

"I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship."

Scaloni, who has coached Argentina since 2018, winning the 2022 World Cup and the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, also claimed that he will likely step down later this year during an emotional post-match press conference.

"I'm going to speak to the president [of the AFA, Claudio Tapia]. I've got a rough idea of what I want to do," he said.

"I'll see out my contract and then we'll see. Honestly, I feel I need time to think as well because I don't know if we will ever be able to do something this big again... something everyone dreamed of.

"We tried right until the end to give everything as a coaching staff — and the players did the same. I think it's only fair that I take some time to think about it.

"This place is wonderful, simply wonderful. It's a dream to be here. Not in my wildest dreams did I or any of us in the coaching staff think we would be here.

"So you need a lot of things. You have to reset and build a group like this again. Recreating something like this is a huge task, and it hurts. It hurts deeply. I'm sorry."