Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has revealed a little-known episode that influenced his transfer path after the 2026 World Cup. As reported by ScoreLens, the Chelsea defender said that, as soon as the tournament ended, the finger he had suffered a fracture during the competition turned out to still be broken in half. The incident prevented the conclusion of a potential transfer to Juventus, a club which had already shown interest in the player.
During the interview, Martínez explained that, after the end of the World Cup, he went on holiday and started feeling pain in his finger. He then took an x-ray which revealed the persistent fracture. "I thought I had finished the World Cup and that the finger was fine," he said, "but the x-ray showed that it was still broken in half. That's where the move to Juventus fell through." The goalkeeper then described the medical evaluations he received: "All the doctors gave me a ten-week ban. They told me that it was impossible to play in those conditions and that I needed an operation."
Martínez admitted that he chose not to undergo surgery right away, instead opting for more aggressive pain management. He explained that he gritted his teeth to defend Argentina's goal during the World Cup, playing with a special glove and his finger completely bandaged. This decision allowed him to participate in the tournament, but had repercussions on the market, preventing the conclusion of an agreement with Juventus.
Despite entering a recovery phase, the Argentine goalkeeper continued to show his quality on the pitch. His return to form has allowed Chelsea to confirm his position as the club's first goalkeeper, with the prospect of a future move to a top club. Martínez's case highlights how a seemingly minor injury can have significant consequences on the transfer market, influencing the negotiations and decisions of the clubs involved.