Argentina will be without goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for at least two matches following a finger injury sustained during the Europa League final, although medical assessments indicate he is expected to recover fully before the start of the World Cup.
Martínez played through the final with a fractured finger, a detail that emerged after the match and initially raised concern in Argentina given the proximity to the World Cup. The development caused unease within the national setup, as the tournament is scheduled to begin in less than a month.
According to journalist Gastón Edul, medical examinations have confirmed that Martínez has suffered a minor fracture to his finger. Importantly, no surgical intervention is required. The expected recovery period is approximately 20 days, which means the 2022 World Cup winner is projected to regain full fitness before the tournament begins.
As a result of the recovery timeline, Martínez will miss several fixtures at both club and international level. For his club Aston Villa, he is unavailable for their final Premier League match of the season against Manchester City. He will also miss Argentina’s two scheduled World Cup warm-up matches.
Argentina’s preparation fixtures include a match against Honduras on 6 June at Kyle Field, followed by a meeting with Iceland on 9 June at the Georgia–Hare Stadium. Martínez will not feature in either of these games.
Despite these absences, Argentina’s management reportedly expect no disruption to their World Cup plans. The team, who enter the tournament as defending champions, will begin their campaign on 16 June at Arrowhead Stadium against Algeria.
The medical timeline suggests Martínez should be fully fit in time for Argentina’s opening World Cup match. His absence is therefore limited to the short preparation window rather than the tournament itself.
Matches affected by Martínez’s injury
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Manchester City vs Aston Villa (Premier League) | Club match | Missed |
| 6 June | Argentina vs Honduras | Kyle Field | Missed |
| 9 June | Argentina vs Iceland | Georgia–Hare Stadium | Missed |
| 16 June | Argentina vs Algeria (World Cup opener) | Arrowhead Stadium | Expected to be fit |
The injury situation has been closely monitored due to Martínez’s importance for both club and country. As 2022 World Cup winner and recent Europa League standout, he remains a key figure in Argentina’s squad planning. However, current medical projections indicate a full recovery within the stated timeframe, allowing him to return ahead of the tournament’s commencement.
