“Quiero jugar, el loco,” said someone passing by during the opening minutes of Argentina training.
Emiliano Martínez wants to play in goal for Argentina against Uruguay on Friday despite recovering from a fractured jaw, Clarín reported. The national team trains at the Ezeiza complex ahead of the South American World Cup qualifier at La Bombonera.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni plans to exercise caution with the Aston Villa goalkeeper, known as Dibu. Chelsea, his club side, also shares the view that he should not feature yet.
Daniel Martínez, the national team doctor, said the player is clinically cleared to take the field. The final decision rests entirely with Scaloni.
🥩🇦🇷 'Chiqui' Tapia en modo asador en la concentración de la Selección Argentina. pic.twitter.com/7M4O4lk0br
“La operación de Dibu fue rápida y muy buena. Tuvo una gran evolución. Su lesión fue muy importante. Desde que llegó respondió muy bien. Se entrenó con el equipo. Si juega o no lo decide Scaloni,” said Daniel Martínez, the team doctor, in remarks to Clarín.
The injury occurred during a Premier League fixture when Martínez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while clearing a cross. The impact stopped play for more than eight minutes while medical staff administered oxygen on the pitch. Medical personnel ruled out brain and spinal damage before moving the goalkeeper off on a stretcher. Before exiting, he raised a thumb toward the stands.
Surgeons operated on his jaw on November 18, prescribing 40 days of rest. Martínez returned to training at his club by day 25 wearing a protective mask, which he brought with him to Buenos Aires. He completed gym work and took part in initial field drills with his teammates at Ezeiza.
Scaloni faces several absences for the match against Uruguay. Leonardo Balerdi is expected to replace the injured Cristian Romero in central defense. Nico Paz will partner Julián Alvarez in attack while Lautaro Martínez rehabilitates an injury in Italy.
Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister will anchor the midfield. Gianluca Prestianni is slated to continue on the left flank, though Scaloni weighs giving minutes to Thiago Almada. Giuliano Simeone, Exequiel Palacios, and Valentín Barco compete for the remaining midfield position.
Agustín Giay leads Gonzalo Montiel at right-back. The competition between Nicolás Tagliafico and Facundo Medina remains close on the left.
The squad will attend a traditional asado dinner hosted by Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia at the Ezeiza training ground. Tapia shared details of the menu on social media. “Vacío, ojito de bife, entraña, mollejas y choris. Lo que se merece esta Selección,” Tapia said in a video.
When is the match against Uruguay? Argentina hosts Uruguay on Friday at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
Who is expected to start in goal? Gerónimo Rulli is tipped to start in place of Martínez for the opening fixture.
When does Argentina play next? Argentina faces Costa Rica in Córdoba following the match against Uruguay.
The training session on Thursday will determine the starting lineup ahead of Scaloni’s press conference.
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