Emiliano Martinez faces around 20 days out with a fractured finger less than a month before Argentina begin their World Cup title defence in North America.
Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported that X-rays confirmed a small fracture in the goalkeeper’s right hand after he suffered the injury during the warm-up before Aston Villa’s Europa League final. Martinez still played the full match as Villa secured a 3-0 win and lifted the trophy.
Doctors will not require surgery, according to the report, and Argentina expect Martinez to recover before their opening World Cup fixture against Algeria on June 16.
The injury will likely rule Martinez out of Argentina’s two warm-up matches in the United States. Lionel Scaloni’s side will face Honduras at Kyle Field in Texas on June 6 before taking on Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama three days later.
Martinez addressed the injury after the Europa League final in an interview with ESPN.
“My finger broke during the warm-up. But everything has a good side. I have played through situations like this my whole life, and I still do.”
Argentina will monitor Martinez closely during the recovery period because he has become one of the squad’s key figures over the last five years. His performances helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and multiple major titles under Scaloni.
Argentina will compete in Group J at the 2026 World Cup alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The defending champions will open their campaign against Algeria before facing Austria and Jordan in the remaining group matches.
