Emi Martinez reveals he called on a psychologist after Saudi Arabia defeat
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has admitted he sought psychological help after Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old Villan, who has been capped 21 times for his country, started in net for an Argentinian side who are much tipped to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986.
And despite a 36-game unbeaten run in the build-up to Qatar, Lionel Scaloni’s side crumbled under pressure and fell to a 2-1 defeat to a far-inferior Saudi Arabia.
Martinez was back to his best more recently as he helped claim a crucial 2-0 win over Mexico, and after the match, he confessed that he struggled to cope with their opening defeat in Qatar.
As reported by Mail Sport, Martinez said: “I talked with a psychologist because they shot at me twice and I conceded both.
“I have 45 million Argentines behind me and I should have given more.”
Heavy burden
Martinez’s comments don’t come as a surprise after he admitted how much he hated conceding for Villa in a recent interview with Ben Foster.
The burden that the Argentinian has put on himself is an unfair one, as he wasn’t overly at fault for either of the two goals against Saudi Arabia and it was actually his outfield teammates who underperformed.
The level of expectation that has fallen on Lionel Messi and the whole national team is immense following their 2021 Copa America win – in which they defeated World Cup favourites Brazil in the final – and they are now hoping to double up with World Cup glory.
Although they lost their opening game, results have fallen their way and they are still expected to go deep into the knockout stages in Qatar, with Martinez’s importance likely to grow as the competition progresses.
There is no issue whatsoever in seeing a psychologist during a World Cup and if such action clears his head and helps bring further clean sheets, Scaloni won’t mind one bit.
In other Aston Villa news, Neil Cutler admits Steven Gerrard was forced to endure bus journey home after sacking.