Emiliano Martinez Wins Yashin Trophy for Second Consecutive Year at Ballon d’Or Awards
Emiliano Martinez showcased his humility as he accepted the prestigious Yashin Trophy for the second consecutive year during the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony held in Paris on Monday. The talented goalkeeper played a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s successful campaign, helping the team qualify for the Champions League while also contributing to Argentina’s retention of the Copa America title.
Having previously won the Yashin Award in 2023, Martinez was instrumental in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup. Upon receiving the award, he expressed his modesty, stating, “I don’t see myself as the best – there are so many good goalies I see week in, week out.” He emphasized that his focus lies in achieving collective success with both the national team and Aston Villa, rather than individual accolades.
Martinez highlighted his commitment to personal improvement, saying, “I only care about group titles with the national team and Aston Villa. I focus on myself, and my goalie coaches know the work I put in every day.”
Aston Villa has made a remarkable start to the current season, sitting at the top of the Champions League with three wins from three matches and holding fourth place in the Premier League ahead of their upcoming match against Tottenham.
Reflecting on his journey, Martinez shared, “It’s huge for me. I always dreamed of playing one game for the national team. Coming from such a young lad to England and trying to work my way up to succeed at Aston Villa and with the national team, winning one [cap] was an honour.”
He expressed his surprise at winning back-to-back Yashin Trophies, stating, “Back-to-back [Yashin Trophies] is something I never expected. I’m just proud to be here today. All thanks go to my family and friends.”
Martinez concluded by emphasizing the collective achievements of his club and national team, saying, “We’re doing something amazing at the club; we’re moving forward. We’ve won back-to-back trophies with the national team, and that’s all I care about.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Emiliano Martinez and Aston Villa’s journey in the Champions League and Premier League!
