Newly released footage reveals that Emiliano Martinez played a role in helping Lionel Messi score his 800th career goal with a stunning free-kick for Argentina against Panama.
This game marked Argentina’s first match since winning the World Cup in Qatar, with Lionel Scaloni selecting the same starting lineup that led the team to victory in front of their home crowd at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The match saw Thiago Almada score the opening goal after coming off the bench, and Messi, the team captain and star player, secured the win with a remarkable free-kick goal.
Even though Lionel Messi had already scored 800 goals in his career, including 150 from outside the box and 62 from free-kicks, Emiliano Martinez still assisted his historic goal against Panama.
As Messi prepared to take the free-kick, Martinez quickly left his goal and began giving instructions to his teammates who were forming a wall.
They positioned themselves strategically to block Jose Carlos Guerra, and this tactic proved successful as Messi expertly curled the ball into the top corner of the net.
Emi did it again. 😮💨🇦🇷
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 26, 2023
The recently released footage is captivating as it provides a unique perspective from the goalkeeper’s point of view.
This is not the first time that Emiliano Martinez has provided advice to his teammates during crucial moments in matches. In the World Cup final shoot-out, he gave penalty advice to Paulo Dybala, and he has also advised his Aston Villa colleagues on how to distract David de Gea’s eye-line during a free-kick that led to Lucas Digne’s goal.
Additionally, Martinez and his teammates gained attention when they recreated his unconventional Golden Glove celebration before their win against Panama.
Emiliano Martinez had previously performed his Golden Glove celebration after helping Argentina defeat France in a thrilling final at Lusail Stadium, which had sparked a lot of criticism. However, this time, Martinez and his teammates recreated the celebration after they were awarded replica World Cup trophies.
At the end of the game, Messi got on the microphone and gave a speech to the passionate fans, saying: “I want to thank all of you for the affection we have been receiving. Not only for being world champions but also for Copa America. We had said that we were going to do everything we could for this.
“I have always dreamed of this moment. To be able to celebrate with you, to come to my country, to Argentina, to lift a Copa America, the Finalissima, and the greatest one, which is the World Cup.”