The world champion goalkeeper, emerged from the lower divisions of Independiente, celebrates his 33rd birthday today.
This Tuesday, in full call with the Argentine National Team, Emiliano MartínEz celebrates his 33rd birthday. This day not only marks another year of life for the world champion, but also serves as a reminder of his humble origins in the lower divisions of Independent.
The DER arrived from Mar del Plata to red, where He demonstrated his talent from the 9th to the 6th division. His potential was so obvious that, with only 16 years, the Arsenal of England signed it in 2012 for a figure of 500 thousand euros for 65% of its pass. Despite an initial race with multiple loans to clubs such as Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday and Getafe, where he was looking for the continuity he did not find, Martínez finally consolidated his place in the elite of European football.
His arrival at the major selection was, as a large part of his career, a path of patience and hard work. Although it had sporadic calls since 2011, its official debut occurred in 2021, in a match of qualifiers against Chile. From there, his ascent was meteoric. He won ownership for the Copa América 2021where his memorable performance in the penalty shootout against Colombia, with the famous “Look that I eat you”, catapulted him to fame. That tournament, in which Argentina consecrated champion, was the first of a series of titles that consolidated their legend with the albiceleste.
The “DRA” was a key piece in obtaining the Very final 2022 And, above all, in the Qatar Cup 2022where his decisive shortcuts, including the epic covered to Kolo Muani in the last seconds of the final, and his leading role in penalties, made him a national hero. He received the Golden Glove from the World Cup as the best goalkeeper of the contest and, at the beginning of 2023, was awarded the FIFA The Best Award for the best male goalkeeper.
His link with Independent It is still strong, as the club demonstrated by greeting him on his social networks: “They are already 33 years for the dominican kid who conquered the world. Happy birthday, @emimartinezz1!”.
In addition, a few weeks ago, the draw showed that its sense of belonging remains intact and He joined an inclusive campaign with Rodrigo Rey for the launch of the first sensory kit of Argentine football. In the presentation video, Martínez starred in a beautiful sequence with Benicio, King’s son.
And in mid -August, Independiente did the same and made a beautiful recognition for the world champion in Villa Dominico. In the Cai house, Place that was home to Drar during his formative stage, a mural was inaugurated in tribute to the Marplatense that symbolizes the bond between the world champion and the club that saw him form in its beginnings. It was carried out by the hand of Javier, art professor at the Independent Educational Center.
In addition to the image of the DRA, the mural includes two phrases: “From the pension to the World Cup” and “that passion takes you to glory”, Accompanied by the World Cup Enlightenment, conquered in Qatar 2022.
They are already 33 years for the dominant kid who conquered the world.
Happy Birthday, @ emimartinezz1! ♥️#TodoRojo pic.twitter.com/CXuvOMUvMe
– Independent (@independent) September 2, 2025
This birthday finds it at a special moment: back in Argentina, adding to the training of the National Team on the AFA site in Ezeiza. In Villa Dominico, meanwhile, they continue waiting for him with open arms, dreaming someday in the great reunion.
