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‘Dibu’ Martínez questions his future with Argentina after World Cup final defeat to Spain

From Proceso Digital · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez said he was considering whether to step away from the national team after its 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain.
  • Martínez said he saved 11 Spanish shots but could not stop Ferran Torres’ attempt that secured Spain’s second world title.
  • Several Argentina players posted emotional messages after the defeat, including Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás González and Cristian Romero.

Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez has left Argentina wondering whether one of its most recognizable players is nearing the end of his international career. After Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, the goalkeeper said he would reflect on whether it was time to step aside.

Many things need reflection, and we have to see how to move forward and whether it is time to step aside.

· Emiliano MartínezThe Argentina goalkeeper questioned whether he would continue playing for the national team after the World Cup final loss.

“Many things need reflection, and we have to see how to move forward and whether it is time to step aside,” Martínez wrote on Instagram. His post included photographs from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Ferran Torres scored the goal Martínez could not stop to give Spain its second World Cup title.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper said he had dreamed of winning the trophy again, bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more. “The pain is difficult to explain,” he wrote. Martínez had saved 11 Spanish shots during Sunday’s final, but he later cried inconsolably on the field. “I am truly sorry. I tried my absolute best to help my country and my teammates,” he added.

I dreamed that we would win it again, I dreamed of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more. The truth is that the pain is difficult to explain.

· Emiliano MartínezMartínez described his disappointment after Spain won the final.

Other Argentina players also addressed the loss online. Nicolás Otamendi, who had announced before the tournament that it would be his last World Cup, called his teammates his safe place during football’s greatest emotions and sadness. Nicolás Tagliafico said the defeat hurt deeply, but that reaching another final and giving everything on the field could not be erased.

It hurts tremendously, I will not deny it. But reaching another final and giving everything on the field cannot be erased by anything.

· Nicolás TagliaficoThe Argentina defender reflected on the team’s performance despite the defeat.

Leandro Paredes, who was sent off after the match following an incident involving Spanish players, wrote that he loved Argentina. Nicolás González said Argentines were used to fighting through pain, while Cristian Romero apologized to supporters and said the team played for them, wherever they had watched around the world.

We play for you, for every Argentine who supported us from every corner of the world.

· Cristian RomeroRomero addressed Argentina supporters in an online apology after the final.
About this summary

Originally published by Proceso Digital in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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