Emiliano Buendia
Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia has backed his countryman Emi Martinez to help bring home the World Cup for Argentina. Speaking of his friendship with the Villa and Argentina stopper, he believes Martinez deserves to be in between the sticks for their country and is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
Emi Buendia said: “For me, of course, yes. He is my teammate and my friend and is doing well. There have been some very good goalkeepers at this World Cup. Bono for Morocco did well but I think Martinez is the best in the world right now. We have a really good relationship, we are close friends. I speak every day with him. He tells me they are enjoying this crazy feeling now. They are preparing for probably the most important game in their lives. He deserves to be there. For the last two or three years he has worked hard to be there. Hopefully, he can bring home the trophy. It is going to be an amazing and important game for the country. They are going to make every Argentinian in the world proud. To reach another final is so difficult so hopefully, on Sunday they can win and bring the trophy to Argentina.
The Martinez story is an inspiring one, he signed for Arsenal from Independiente in the summer of 2010 and went on to spend ten years at the club before leaving for Villa in order to become a number one 10 years later. His journey since then has been an impressive one with him becoming a key part of not only the Villa starting line-up, but also for his national team. Two-and-a-half years ago, he wasn’t playing for Arsenal, now he stands on the cusp of the greatest prize in football, and his Villa teammate believes it is the result of patience and hard work.
Emi Buendia said: “That says everything about his personality. He was not playing enough and he showed everyone in the world what kind of goalkeeper he is. He demonstrated what he can do. He won the Copa America and was Golden Glove. He equalled a clean sheet record here at Villa in his first season. He is the main No.1. He deserves this. He works every day for this and I am really happy for him.”
Buendia himself has had to watch with the rest of the world as Argentina have progressed, he didn’t make the final cut for the tournament but holds out hope he can force his way into the reckoning for the next challenge. On representing his country,
Emi Buendia said: “For me, one of the proudest moments of my life. There are a lot of Argentinians in the world, and to be selected as one of the 40 players is amazing. I tried to work hard to be a part of this World Cup but it wasn’t possible, but I will keep going and working for the next tournament and try to be there.
The world’s admiration for Lionel Messi has also been matched by Buendia who simply believes his country’s talisman has been untouchable and is worthy of the cherry on top of a glittering career.
Emi Buendia said: “He’s the best player in the world, the best player in history. He has won everything in his life except for the World Cup. Every Argentinian person in the world will feel over the moon for him if he wins it. Hopefully for Emi, the national team, and for Leo Messi, hopefully we can bring the World Cup home.”
For now, Buendia is working hard to impress new Villa manager Unai Emery and feels he is progressing well under his guidance, the latest outing coming in Thursday’s Villa Park game with Villareal.
Eli Buendia added: “It has been a strange time to have the break. We have been working on a new style under the manager. He’s explained very well what he wants to do for us. I feel very good to receive balls in-between spaces/lines. I have a strong relationship with Douglas and Kamara. They both found me well. I felt so good today. We were unlucky we didn’t win the game. It was a friendly of course, but we want to win the games. Our main target is Boxing Day against Liverpool.”
