'Dibu' Martínez Played World Cup Final with Fractured Finger, Defying Medical Orders

Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez, Argentina's goalkeeper, disclosed that he played with a fractured finger sustained before the World Cup, defying medical recommendations for surgery. Martínez revealed that numerous hand specialists in the United States and England advised him against playing without an operation, yet he chose to proceed to participate in the tournament.

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All the hand specialists I consulted from the United States and England told me that I could not play and that I had to have surgery.

"It hurts every day. I knew it. I avoided the operation," Martínez stated during a press conference. He recounted receiving a call from the coach who expressed his desire for Martínez to be on the team "however you are." This encouragement, coupled with his own resolve, allowed him to overcome the injury.

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It hurts every day. I knew it. I avoided the operation.

Martínez admitted the injury significantly impacted his training, particularly during the group stage where he couldn't train with the full squad. "I couldn't train with the group, and it affected me because I am a player who likes to be there," he explained. However, he noted improvements from the round of 16 onwards, allowing him to train normally and feel much better.

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I want my teammates to be the stars.

Looking ahead to the final against Spain on July 19, Martínez urged his team to savor the moment. "Sometimes I cry alone, for everything we have achieved. I want to enjoy the moment, because as a professional footballer, you don't realize it, and the message is to prepare ourselves with joy, because we will remember it all our lives," he said. He also downplayed personal accolades, stating, "I never wanted to be the protagonist. I don't care about having a best player trophy. I care that the coach trusts me. In the end, I want my teammates to be the stars."

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I want to enjoy the moment, because as a professional footballer, you don't realize it, and the message is to prepare ourselves with joy, because we will remember it all our lives.