Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has hinted at the possibility of retiring from international football with the "Tango Dancers" after losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain.
The goalkeeper for English club Aston Villa admitted his deep sadness in a heartfelt message, leaving his international future uncertain.
Martinez hinted at the possibility of retiring from playing for the Argentine national team after the 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final held in New Jersey on Sunday. He appeared visibly affected after the final whistle, as his country failed to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
Martinez later spoke publicly about the defeat for the first time, raising new doubts about his future with the national team, as he admitted that the defeat had left him deeply disheartened.
Martinez wrote on his personal Instagram account on Tuesday, "I dreamed of retaining the title, I dreamed of bringing it to Argentina and making history again. The truth is that the pain is difficult to describe, and I still have to think carefully about many things, see how things will go, and whether it is time to step aside. I am very sorry, I did my best to help my country and my fellow citizens."
Despite the loss, Martinez (33 years old) received praise for his performance in the final match after a series of crucial saves that kept Argentina in contention. However, he could not prevent Ferran Torres from scoring the winning goal in extra time, which ended the Argentinians' hopes of winning the World Cup for the second time in a row.
