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Martinez to play world cup final despite lingering finger injury
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez has revealed he is still playing through daily pain in his right ring finger ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, after delaying surgery to keep his place in the tournament.
The 33-year-old suffered a crack in his right ring finger during Aston Villa's preparations for the UEFA Europa League final in May. Despite picking up the injury in training before the final against Freiburg, Martínez completed the match as Villa secured a 3-0 victory to lift the trophy.
Further medical examinations confirmed a small fracture, and hand specialists in both the United States and England advised him to undergo surgery. However, Martínez chose to postpone the operation because it would likely have ruled him out of the World Cup group stage.
Instead, he opted for conservative treatment and rehabilitation, a decision that has allowed him to represent Argentina but continues to cause persistent discomfort.
"My finger still hurts every day," Martínez said. "I knew I would have to endure a lot of pain. I avoided surgery. Every hand specialist I spoke to in the United States and England told me that without surgery I wouldn't be able to play."
The injury also disrupted his preparations for the tournament. Martínez missed Argentina's warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland and had not fully recovered when the World Cup began. He revealed that just two days before Argentina's opening match, he was forced to practice diving using only one hand.
"Even two days before the first match, I was diving with one hand. If you had seen me then, it would have looked like I only had one hand," he said.
The goalkeeper was unable to train normally with his teammates throughout the group stage, something he admitted affected him mentally because of his love for regular training. His condition improved during the knockout rounds, and he returned to full training after Argentina's Round of 16 victory over Egypt.
Although the pain has not completely disappeared, Martínez said he now feels much better and is fully ready for the final.
He is expected to start as Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final, marking his second consecutive appearance in football's biggest match after playing a decisive role in Argentina's triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Martínez also warned against underestimating Spain, saying the European side's strength extends far beyond teenage star Lamine Yamal.
"Spain are an outstanding team. Their strength isn't just Lamine. They have an excellent squad, and the players work incredibly hard for one another. They deserve to be in the final," he said.
Despite the pain, Martínez said he is determined to enjoy another World Cup final and admitted that reflecting on his achievements sometimes leaves him emotional.
Argentina will take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey at 1:00 am Bangladesh time on Monday.
-HIS
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
