Emiliano Martinez Returns to Full Training Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
Emiliano Martinez's Recovery and Training Update
In Missouri, USA, on June 12, Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has successfully completed his first full training session while wearing both gloves, marking a significant step in his recovery from a finger injury.
The Aston Villa player sustained a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand on May 20 during the warm-up prior to Villa's Europa League final triumph over Freiburg. Initially, he trained with a splint and only one glove during his rehabilitation, as reported by ESPN.
Martinez returned to full training on Thursday and is anticipated to start in Argentina's opening match against Algeria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 16 in Kansas City. He had previously missed warm-up victories against Honduras and Iceland.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper had an impressive season with Aston Villa, who secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, and he was honored with a spot in the Europa League Team of the Season.
As a 2022 World Cup champion with Argentina, Martinez was recognized as the tournament's best goalkeeper and received the Golden Glove award, contributing to his team's success in lifting the 2024 Copa America.
In other news, defender Marcos Senesi has been called up to replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi ahead of the World Cup, as announced by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Thursday.
Balerdi's calf injury has resulted in his exclusion from the defending champions' 26-man squad for the prestigious tournament, according to reports.
Senesi, 29, previously played for Premier League club Bournemouth from 2022 to 2026 and is set to join Tottenham Hotspur. He has made three appearances for the Argentine national team so far.
Senesi played a vital role in Bournemouth's sixth-place finish in the recently concluded Premier League season, which secured the club's first-ever qualification for the UEFA Europa League, marking their debut in European football.
Argentina will kick off their World Cup journey against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Group J.
Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico de Madrid).
- Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico de Madrid), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (SL Benfica), Marcos Senesi (Tottenham Hotspur), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais).
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Valentin Barco (RC Strasbourg).
- Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como 1907), Thiago Almada (Atletico de Madrid).