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Throughout the history of soccer,
we've seen great players who are all focused one goal,
which is to score.
But there are also those who are always trying to catch us,
who wanna stop us, and not let us in the goal.
And for some strange reason,
it seems like everyone wants to be a goalkeeper now.
Why's that? Huh?
Maybe… it has to do with this one guy.
So today, I'm gonna tell you a story about a certain Emiliano Martínez.
Well, yeah, the one you and everyone calls Dibu.
The FIFA Best Goalkeeper award for the best goalkeeper of the season
goes to Argentina’s… Emiliano Martínez.
Everyone asks me who my idols were growing up.
Or which goalkeepers inspired me when I was a kid.
And I've always said, "Witnessing my mom cleaning buildings
for eight… or nine hours a day."
"And my Dad… work hard."
The truth is, they're my idols.
Thank you all.
DIBU MARTÍNEZ IS THE WORLD'S BEST KEEPER
He's a World Cup winner and the best goalkeeper.
Emiliano Martínez, the season's best goalkeeper.
EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ SEASON'S BEST
Best goalkeeper of the 2021 Copa América.
At the Ballon d'Or ceremony,
Dibu Martínez won the Yashin for world's best goalkeeper.
Again, Dibu Martínez won The Best award
as the world's top goalkeeper.
It's what every kid dreams of since the age of six.
It was my goal, and I knew I was ready for it.
Huh?
BASED ON A SHORT STORY BY HERNÁN CASCIARI
Mm… Mm… Mm…
-You can't do it! -You're useless in the goal!
-You're stupid. -You're worthless, goalkeeper!
The ball never scared me. I'm very demanding… of myself.
I saw the other goalkeeper, and I couldn’t understand
why he wasn’t getting a chance.
I put up with everything,
but not being able to play was something I couldn’t deal with.
It felt like I was stuck.
There was a lot of sacrifice. It didn't happen overnight.
I expected him to say, "I'm done, I wanna come back."
He was a kid who came here with one goal… to make it.
His mindset is what sets him apart. That journey made him stronger.
We're going to play with Emiliano Martínez.
The level Emiliano's been performing at really speaks for itself.
And this could be his chance.
WHO IS EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ?
No one knows you! With those two goalkeepers, what does Martínez change?
DOUBTS IN NATIONAL TEAM'S GOAL
They say you owe all your success to the coach!
If you don't pay for the cable, you don't know where this guy plays.
What will he try and goal?
Until things just clicked.
I’m not new to the national team.
I’ve played in the Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups.
Hey there, little champ.
I'm the one who decides if you're a hero or a villain now.
I know I gave the national team a boost of positivity.
If I choose correctly, there's an 80% chance I'll save it.
I'm gonna eat you alive!
Dibu is a real character, he's a bit crazy, and if he told you that,
you can be sure it's gonna happen.
He’s been a really positive addition to the group.
First, with the saves.
-And with his personality. -You're nervous, aren't you?
Whether I play well or not, I know the confidence is there.
I knew that once he joined the national team,
he wouldn't let go of the gloves.
Dibu is such an amazing person. He really is.
He made them feel like they could step up and take the shot,
but they wouldn't score.
When he's in goal, he seems to grow.
If he had to go straight into the post 2to make the save, he’d do it.
He's definitely got a sixth sense.
I could tell he had something.
He's the one who really knows why.
That's what he was born for, to be a goalkeeper.
DIBU MARTÍNEZ THE KID WHO STOPS TIME
About a billion and a half TV viewers across the world
are watching this game.
Argentina versus France!
Please, just allow me to dream a little!
Messi's team against Mbappé's.
Who will take all the glory?
As I walked out to play the World Cup final,
I felt a pit in my stomach that I'd never felt as a professional player.
When you see that giant World Cup
in the middle of the field,
and the nearly 70,000 people in the Lusail Stadium…
…you begin to understand what it feels like
to play in a World Cup final.
We believe in you guys.
We believe in this team. Come on, Argentina!
Seeing all those people sing,
made me feel as if I was… transported back to Argentina and my childhood school.
To the great Argentine people, salute…
SAGRADA FAMILIA SCHOOL
Little Coco was over there.
And a little further down, Ale, my older brother.
That we knew how to win…
The teacher was leading the kids in singing.
And that's when… I discovered the switch.
Oh, wow. What's this?
Why's there a switch in my belly button?
Huh?
Oh, no. What's going on?
Hello? Hello?
Are all of you frozen?
This is so weird.
Hey, teacher! What's happening?
What's going on? Someone answer me!
Coco! Uh, Coco! Coco, talk to me.
Teacher, Coco's not moving.
This can't be happening! What did I do?
What's this? What did I do?
Or swear To die gloriously!
Or swear to die gloriously!
What… did I just do?
I’ve been all over,
but Mar del Plata will always be my hometown.
From walking to the bus stop at 7:00 in the morning
so I could get to school on time,
to walking in the afternoons
from Punta Mogotes beach to the Jardín neighborhood,
which always took about 30 or 40 minutes.
Riding my bike to the field with the wooden goal, no net.
My brother and I spent a lot of time together, just the two of us.
The essence of our family, the way our parents raised us…
BROTHER
…is what gave us that sense of brotherhood.
We were definitely attached at the hip.
We had a wire fence at the front of the house.
I think it was… about 15 meters from end to end.
And the ball went back and forth all day.
Penalties, headers, chest touches, rabonas,
whatever it was, we'd play it.
Every day, we made up new games, and there was always a ball involved.
Emi, go in goal.
No, but I want to play up front.
I'll play up front and score. You don't let them in, okay?
Sure.
Lucas the Tank,
Mosquito Brady,
Curly Loquercio, Diego Garello,
Pata Suárez, Ariel Armageddon.
Ariel drives down the right with the ball.
-Armageddon shoots. -Oh, no, no!
Goal! Emiliano was caught off guard.
Curly drives toward the penalty area.
Foul. That's a foul.
Move that way… no. Move over. That's it. You're good.
Toto Bertoglio.
-Hmm. -That's a long… very high cross.
-A giant header! -No!
Oh!
-No! No! -Coco tries to stop the ball!
But he sends it in!
-No! -It's Little Coco.
No, why?!
Little goalie, soccer's for grown-ups.
Why don't you join them building sandcastles?
Ah! Huh!
-What a beautiful pass! -Oh no!
Armageddon is approaching at full speed!
Hmm… Mm… Mm!
Hey! What do you think you're doing?
No, hey, don't do it. No, what are you doing?
Stop that right now. Don't do it!
I'm gonna eat you up, bro. I'm gonna eat you alive!
Incredible save from Emiliano Martínez! It's unbelievable!
Emiliano saves the ball!
This will go down in history!
-Go! -It is truly unbelievable!
What did you do? You're a beast!
What you did was incredible. You're a star!
Those are your school pants! Mom’s gonna drag both of us by the ears.
The Mostris were older, born in '89, '90.
We'd got to school, to soccer, and to the beach together.
We kept calling each other "Mostris," and it stuck.
THE MOSTRIS
Look, it’s hard to explain the meaning of "The Mostris."
In Argentina, especially in Mar del Plata, as kids,
We wanted a name, something we could identify with.
And I think in the end, "The Mostris" ended up sticking,
like, "Hey, here come the Mostris."
The Mostris is… the little crew we put together.
Emi, Toto, Diego, Ale, and me.
A friend's brother and some childhood friends…
FRIEND
…always called us "Mostris."
"Hey, Mostri, Mostri."
FRIEND
Instead of saying "monsters," they'd say "mostri."
And we just kinda took it and made it ours.
That word just kinda stuck with us.
So much so, that we all got tattoos of it… in Arabic.
We completely trusted the translator at that moment in time.
We believed it said "Mostri."
Then, some time later, in England, I was in a gym with Emi
and an Arab guy came over to us and said "Mostri, Mostri!"
We realized, what we got tattooed actually did say "Mostri." We had no idea.
Don't ask why it's in Arabic.
All I can say is, we were young
and… maybe now we'd get "Mostri" tattooed in Spanish.
I'm not sure why we went with Arabic.
But hey, there are five of us,
and we still call each other "Mostri" to this day.
In the neighborhood where Emi grew up, five blocks out,
you could already see the open fields.
FATHER
There was always some kind of tournament
with all the kids from the neighborhood.
They'd spend all day with the ball. Mornings, afternoons.
They would play at night, at times even under pouring rain.
They've always loved soccer.
MOTHER
The ball was always part of his life, from a very young age.
Sh!
Hey, boys! Is that you?
Uh!
Is something wrong?
Hey, boys! How was your day at school today?
Hey, Dad! We played a game on the beach, but we lost three-zero.
And Emi made an awesome save today!
Come on, Emi, tell me all about it.
It was so cool! I stopped it like this with my leg and kicked it out!
Oh, yeah? Save this. Let's see if you can.
Emiliano, what happened to your pants, young man?
What have I told you about school pants? Tell me what you're gonna wear tomorrow.
It's just that…
How many times do I have to tell you?
You're not supposed to play soccer in the pants you use for school.
Now both of you, go take a shower!
At least you guys didn't lose four-zero. 'Cause you saved one, didn't you?
My dad was out working most of the time.
He hustled all day in the fish business. He filleted fish.
He’d go all day
from one fish market to another, making fillets.
And we saw my mom around 6:00 or 7:00… when we came back from school.
He was my little partner.
He’d always ask me, "Mom, what do you need?"
"Want me to run an errand?"
When he was four or five, he’d hop on his little blue bike
and head out with a bag and some money.
He was very caring.
Come here, Emi. How is it looking?
Wow, Mom! I have the coolest pants in the whole wide world!
You know what?
One day I'm going to be a world champion,
and you won’t have to work or sew again ever in your life.
Of course, my lovely little champ.
He always knew he was leaving because he'd say to me,
"You know, when I become a soccer player, I will be a professional soccer player."
"You won't need to work anymore."
Soccer's been my priority.
Even as a kid, I’d turn down going out for ice cream or going fishing.
And instead, I'd go play for my team on Sunday mornings.
It was something I really looked forward to all week.
When Emi was still quite little, I remember, I’d call out from my room,
"All right, time to sleep! We’ve got an early morning tomorrow."
And sometimes I felt like he was… talking to someone.
I have no idea if it was an imaginary friend
or if he was just talking… to himself out loud.
Hello, little champ.
Who, uh, who are you?
Well, the one who decides who goes home happy
and who is sad and can't sleep at night.
-I'm dreaming, aren't I? -Nope. No, no. You're awake right now.
But you're talking to me, and I know balls don't talk.
I do more than talk. I do tricks, I also fly, and I bury myself in the net.
Oh, I love burying myself in the net.
I'm the one who decides if you're a hero, or a villain now.
But you don't exist.
Look who's talking! The one they send to the goal because he's just a little kid.
A little kid!
What's wrong, little champ?
Are you scared of me? *
Why would I even be scared of you?
I always knew I'd make it. I never doubted that.
Not once did I think, "If I don't make it, I'll go get a job at the harbor."
There's Susana, the new ride, and Beto.
The red Jeep was my dad's very first car.
And I remember he always kept it spotless and squeaky clean,
but it had so many issues and something was always broken.
Boys, let's go! Come on, sleepyheads! Let's get going.
Coming dad!
Huh? Huh?
We've got a built-in shower now. Watch out!
-Supercool, yeah? -Hmm.
So, Dad. When are you fixing the hole on the roof?
I need to keep the fish wet during the deliveries I gotta do.
Our routine was getting up early.
My wife worked,
and I had to take the kids with me to the harbor at 6:00 in the morning.
If I had a delivery to make, I'd take them with me.
See ya later, Dad.
I'll come pick you up later.
-Bye, Dad! Love you! -On your best behavior, you two!
We went to Sagrada Familia,
which is a very well-known school in the port of Mar del Plata.
Emiliano, as a kid, was really sweet…
TEACHER
…and a real chatterbox.
He was the tallest in his grade, with really long legs.
He was always running around like crazy.
It was always, "Emi, no running in here! Emi, I've told you that already!"
Even though he always focused on his training, he kept up his schoolwork.
Seven times one?
Seven!
Seven times two?
Fourteen!
-Seven times three? -Twenty-one!
Seven times four is 28. Seven times five…
Lots of kids dream about being a superhero so they can help people.
Or of being a great explorer in order to find hidden treasures.
Yeah! Huh? Uh!
No!
Mm-hmm! Hmm! Hmm!
Meanwhile, I dreamed of being the best goalkeeper in the world.
That’s normal, right? Yeah!
Aah!
Emi started playing at the Urquiza Club.
It was a total coincidence because they needed kids to play.
Ale was a striker, and the coach would tell Emi,
"Why don’t you play with the older boys for a bit?"
Ale was from '90, and Emi '92.
He was at Urquiza when he was really young, about six or seven.
He wanted to stay in goal, but we were missing a player.
He said, "No, I’m a keeper."
So we played a man down because he insisted in being in goal.
Then the goalkeeper got sick and missed a Sunday.
Emi stepped in, and we never took him out again.
If I hadn’t had an older brother,
I don’t think I would’ve been as competitive.
Hmm? Ha!
Hmm-hmm.
Hmm.
Uh? Hmm? Huh?
Hello again, little champ!
Hmm.
Wait! Why aren't you talking to me?
Oh, I see! You're feeling really scared, aren't you? Hey!
Look at me when I'm talking to you!
Huh!
I just told you to look at me!
Aah!
Whoa-ho!
-Yeah! Great job! Yeah! -Way to go, Emi!
Wow!
Ha ha!
Oh!
-Ah! -Ha!
First of all, Emiliano was very big in terms of his physical build.
He also had a commanding voice, which wasn't common for his age.
We always said it was like having another coach.
COACH
At some games, the referee would come over and say to us,
"Are you aware the other team's coach is asking to see his ID
because they can't believe his age."
He had amazing leg strength. It was impressive.
Sometimes he'd play his teammates for a soda.
He'd fly from post to post and would always beat them.
Jorge Peta and Cacho Gonzalo would train us for all our games.
They were both very demanding.
We'd set up the goals with the kids' sweaters and backpacks.
We would hang a ball from a tree with a rope.
Then everyone who was there would tug the rope, in order to lift the ball,
and then drop it again.
All the parents would always help out.
We'd be there to paint the field, we'd cut the grass,
we'd help train the boys, we'd take them home,
or else our Sundays would never end.
It was a really great time.
That's the goalkeeper who saved all those penalties.
SCHOOL NEWS
Let me see this!
HOW DOES HE MAKE SAVES?
Hmm.
Yeah, come on, let's go!
Hah!
We were at the Talleres Club where we stayed for a very short time…
and then we went to… the San Isidro Club.
He was already the goalkeeper at San Isidro.
It was a really good team. They were great.
Class of '92, from Mar del Plata.
I was with them for a year or two
because they had connections to possibly get us tryouts in Buenos Aires.
Everyone's trying to make ends meet.
I know, Alberto, but what can we do about it on our end?
Everyone's trying to do their best in these circumstances, but…
We've got so many bills to pay and there's no work.
I don't know what we're gonna do.
Electricity bill just doubled.
We've got the electricity bill, the kids' school, the gas bill too.
-What do we do? -The kids' school is nonnegotiable.
It's priority.
I'm ready now.
Oh? Ready for what?
I'm ready for Buenos Aires.
Go to bed. There's still a long time before you go to school.
I wanna get to play on a really big team.
It's too much. There's the trip… and the hotel.
Sorry, son. I'd love to help you reach your dreams,
but times are tough right now.
Of course. I get it. Don't worry about it.
I was always very careful with my money because, well,
I was living on one salary a month.
So I’d break up my paycheck to pay the bills, electricity, gas, school,
And I worked at the port with a truck, and… you know how it is.
Some days I had deliveries, and some days I didn’t.
For extra income,
I’d sometimes clean apartments for people who came for the summer.
There was a lot of sacrifice. It didn't just happen overnight.
We were always finding ways to make sure there was food on the table.
They learned that Mom and Dad worked hard
to have what we were able to have.
To be able to pay for things, for every brick, for a pair of cleats,
for gloves, for school, or for a book.
We'll definitely find a way to figure this out.
We've always made it work.
Huh? So, you two are saying we're going to Buenos Aires?
Yeah, we're going to Buenos Aires!
Yay! We're going!
We're going, kiddo! We're going!
BUENOS AIRES - 398 HIGHWAY 2 - 398
First we took him to River Plate,
but he… he didn't make it there.
Then we took him to Boca Juniors. He didn't make it either.
Then Cacho Gonzalo came over and he said to us,
"There's a tryout… at Independiente."
"Listen, Pepé, I have this kid with me who I'd like you to try out."
LEGENDARY INDEPENDIENTE GOALKEEPER
"We came all the way from Mar del Plata, and we're heading your way."
He explained to me they had come to try their luck.
And they'd had tryouts at River Plate and Boca Juniors.
And he said, "Before we leave, we'd like you to see him."
I knew he was his idol. I knew exactly who he was.
"Okay."
"Have him get changed and ready, then come over."
-Come on, Emi! I know you can do it! -You guys ready?
Give it all you've got, come on!
What I remember from the tryout at Independiente
is how many kids were there.
Of course, you end up thinking, "There's no way I'm making it."
-Hey, Pepé's coming! -Oh!
Okay, San Luis, you kick.
Huh?
Goodbye.
Someone else.
Next time. Another one. Come on. Move it along! No.
Oh, God, another one! Okay, kid, you're up now. Get in goal.
I'd met him at a tournament I'd gone to with Independiente.
And he'd been with San Isidro.
San Isidro had a really good team in Mar del Plata. We'd tied one-one.
I scored a goal against him. I really did.
Hmm!
Hah! Whoa!
We were at the tryout. It was going well.
He was doing great. There was just one thing left to do.
What now?
The missile.
He's calling out for the missile.
And what is the missile?
It's the worst test of all. No one has ever saved the missile.
Not once! Never!
Hmm.
Hah… bah!
Hey!
You weren't expecting that, right?
Huh? What? Oh, no. No, no, no, no. Uh!
Oh! You thought this would be easy!
No matter how many switches you get to press, you're never gonna make it!
I'm going in the goal and tryouts will be over!
Everything you've ever dreamed of in life is now over!
Oh!
That's not gonna happen!
Aah!
Yeah!
No!
Whoa.
If the kid brought his things he can stay. He'll go to the dorm.
He said I could stay at the dorm.
I felt shocked and elated at the same time.
Hmm?
Hmm.
I saw physical qualities that made me think,
that with the right work and technique he could be a great goalkeeper.
So we went back home… and talked it over as a family.
It was hard for me to let him go,
but I knew very well that's what he wanted to do.
I believe that I have my mom to thank, because she let me go to Independiente.
WELCOME
Down this hallway are all the rooms.
There's quite a lot of us.
Bathrooms and showers are over there.
So you know, you gotta be early or you'll wait for half an hour.
If not, just forget it.
I'm Ale, but here, everybody calls me San Luis,
because well, you know, I'm from San Luis.
Well, I'm from Mar del Plata, but I'd… rather go by Emi.
Of course, Emi.
You know, I recognize you from somewhere.
Okay, let's go.
I lived in my dorm out of a suitcase.
And that’s when my life there started.
When he left for Independiente the house felt so empty.
At least that's how I felt about it.
But I think the one who really suffered the most when Emi left was Ale.
But he kept it all in.
He really struggled.
With time, I came to understand
he wasn't there anymore.
I was happy on one hand, but sad on the other, because I was alone.
He was 11 and a half, and never lived with us again.
We were four and became three.
Sorry.
While growing up, I realized that we can be selfish and not see it.
I thought, "I wanna make it for them," but I never saw it from their end.
The fact that I left home, I left my brother alone,
and I left my dad without one of his kids.
And that's something I eventually came to accept as I grew up.
That was when it actually sunk in for me.
"Okay, now I'm at a professional club and my career starts here."
You know, it was quite hard to come to terms with at that time.
I took him there the first time.
It was incredibly hard to hand him his bag and leave him.
And the impression I had of the place… I'd say it was quite humble.
The room we had in the dorm had two bunk beds and was extremely narrow.
And I was thinking at the time,
"Why does he have to be in a place like this?"
I remember my mom would come, and she couldn't stand seeing it.
She'd go clean all the bathrooms.
This is your bed. And I'm here, right next to you.
Can you tell me where you learned to save like that?
Not once! No one has ever saved the missile.
I know you have a secret?
Me? Having a secret?
Yeah, I know you do.
Nope, don't have one.
Oh, I know.
What do you know? What do you mean?
I know where I know you from. You look just like Dibu.
The guy from TV!
Like Dibu?
The nickname Dibu came from Ale, my best friend.
Everyone kept telling me I looked just like Dibu.
And of course, they started teasing me
and calling me Dibu, like the cartoon character.
When he arrived at the dorm,
he was kind of redhead with freckles, you know?
I said, "Emi, you look exactly like Dibu."
I remember watching the show, and dude, he was awesome.
He was a goalkeeper, he drove go-karts. "Sure, call me Dibu. He can do anything!"
And it stuck. Everyone kept calling him Dibu.
The rest is history. And from then on, everyone's called him Dibu to this day.
Hmm?
I told you we'd win with this hand didn't I?
-Come on! -Real envido.
I got 33!
-Wow! -What?
We won!
Here's where we go to watch soccer.
Barcelona is still winning one-zero.
Messi is now on the field!
Ronaldinho has the ball.
What an absolutely perfect assist for Messi.
And now, over the top…
Goal… for… Barcelona!
For Messi's Barcelona! Yes! It's Messi's!
From the rising young talent. This is a historic moment!
Don't forget this name! Lionel Messi!
Aw!
One day, I'll be playing with him.
Come on, Dibu.
Mom would come up with any excuse to bring him home.
He’d get a bad grade, and suddenly he had to come back.
So Emi tried to please mom above all else.
My mom always kept my brother and me on a very short leash.
I'd talk to him before he went to school, as soon as he came back from school.
She was always very demanding about school.
She wouldn't let us play soccer if we weren’t eating right
or getting good grades.
And around 8:00 p.m., I would suddenly call him on the pay phone.
And he had to answer me from the one at the dorm.
There wasn’t a single day he didn’t pick up.
We worked on fitness and technique.
And there were drills all the other boys were used to doing,
but he wasn’t.
There was a hurdle this big
that all the first-team goalkeepers could jump,
but I just couldn't do it.
You’re not as strong at 12 as you are at 28.
I kept trying to clear the hurdle.
I cried and cried until I finally made it.
He'd get frustrated trying to do what the others were doing.
He was a kid who came here with one goal… to make it.
Honestly, he never wavered.
I was expecting him to say, "I'm done, I wanna come back."
You kind of take on a fatherly role,
especially with all the kids who come from the dorm.
Pepé Santoro wasn't just a goalkeeping coach.
He was more like… a father that I didn't get to have in Buenos Aires.
He saw how hard it was for me, and how I kept trying.
He worked his way up from the bottom.
And he really took to heart everything we said to him.
You can tell he prepared him well because… he was 14 in the Under-15.
ARGENTINE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
The national team has scouts who come watch you every weekend.
I was performing well in the Independiente youth team.
And I remember that they'd give you a scorecard.
And I was always Martínez the Marvel. I would get a high score every weekend.
It was something else, because at first,
all you want is to play in all the games you can for your club.
Getting the call from the national team to join them, that’s something unique.
Together nobody can stop us, Mostri!
I remember calling my mom
while I was walking from the dorm to the locker room.
And he said to me, "Mom, there's something I have to tell you."
"I got called up by the national team."
That's when I knew, "I'm gonna become a professional player."
I always thought I would,
but that's when I really was able to say, "I'm close."
We were lucky enough to enjoy that together. You know?
It's the kind of thing that stays with you.
When I turned 16, they called me up to the Under-17 team.
I was there Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, basically every month.
Argentina's rising stars face a new challenge.
The South American Under-17 Championship begins for Argentina.
Martínez!
Great save from Independiente's goalkeeper!
They call him Dibu, and he’s a sure thing in goal!
Argentina's young talent shines in the South American Championship.
Emiliano Martínez saves the game!
SOUTH AMERICAN U-17 FINAL
Argentina and Brazil face off for the South American Under-17 tournament.
Hmm.
Way to go, Martínez! He does it again!
What a great performance from Emiliano Martínez!
He had a great performance in Chile,
and that's when people from Arsenal saw him.
They sent someone to watch the tournament.
He was one of the scouts, as they call them.
Dibu, someone's come to see you.
Richard Law, I'm scouting for Arsenal.
Which Arsenal? From Sarandí?
Arsenal Football Club, London… England.
Oh! No way!
When he came out and said,
"Hey, I might go to England for a week for tryouts," we were stunned.
That's when we said, "This is real."
"This could work out. Are you sure this is what you really want?"
Mar del Plata is 400 kilometers away,
but this… is way too far from here!
I won't be able to see them for so long.
Listen to me, kid.
This is an opportunity to change your life,
and your family's as well.
Isn't that what you came looking for?
My dream was, to buy… I guess, to buy a big house
for my parents to live in or to get my dad a new car.
Okay, but we're going together.
And off we went with our suitcases,
with all our hopes and expectations.
LONDON ENGLAND
-Who is that? -He's an Argie. The South American.
Hmm. You're gonna know who I am.
What? Huh? Ha? What?
You won't beat us!
-We'll eat you alive! -Useless, like a sieve!
No presence in the box!
-You suck at penalties! -You're terrible!
-You're stupid! -You're terrible, little kid!
-We'll eat you alive! -You're just useless! Give up!
No!
Yeah!
Uh! Aah!
Ah! Ah.
You did well, but you’ll need to put in a lot more effort. Much more.
And the coach came over, congratulating me,
letting me know Emi was staying in the club.
The Arsenal scout was there, along with the president of Independiente.
They said, "Listen, we have to sell you in order to finish the stadium."
You know, financially, things were tough at home, too.
There's that moment when everything hits you and you just go,
"Oh, God!" But then the offer from Arsenal felt like a godsend.
I think it was around 20 or 25 thousand pounds to sign.
And I just said, "If I sign, do I get the money now?"
It was enough that it covered all expenses.
So we didn't have to sell the truck or the house.
It wasn’t what I hoped, but financially speaking, it made sense.
It was hard in a way because we were going our separate ways,
but for him as a player and a person,
it was an opportunity that he just had to take.
They sent me to live with an English host family
so I could learn the language.
And the culture was really different.
I wasn’t really into partying or anything of the kind.
But at the residence, they were really strict.
We couldn’t do anything.
I played PlayStation at night,
and if I went to the bathroom downstairs around 10:00, they’d be like, "Sh!"
And it was like 9:30, you know?
And I said, "No, I’m not in a prison here."
I told myself, "I’m going back to Argentina."
I grabbed my bag, I was going back to Argentina.
"No, no, wait!" And I stayed six months with my brother in a hotel.
He'd go to practice, come back, and I'd be at the hotel.
We were both in the best shape of our lives
because we trained morning, afternoon, and night.
That’s basically all we did.
Yeah, we got really ripped.
His brother truly was… like his teammate, his best friend.
He really was everything to him.
And then, when I turned 18,
I was able to rent my own apartment.
I ended up in England to really become financially stable.
For the first time in my life.
It felt like a spaceship, gray, huge, perfect. It was scary.
Even the bench scared me. Even the cold here felt different.
He always had the misfortune of having international stars ahead of him.
Hmm.
He’d tell me where he was going and what he… had to deal with.
Like getting relegated or battling to stay up.
You’re at Arsenal, and then you get loaned out.
For a player, that’s not easy.
As time went on,
he wanted to be the national team’s goalkeeper.
But the chance wasn't coming.
Because he needed to play, and he just wasn’t playing.
In soccer, it feels like you’re getting jerked around.
But he was planting the seeds of the strength he'd need
when his time came.
I saw my brother practice, and he was always a beast.
I didn't understand why he wasn't getting a chance.
Oh, you poor thing. Are you tired, Emi?
What, you thought just saying,
"Okay," "good morning," "good afternoon" was enough to make you somebody here?
You've still got a lot of work to do! I don't think you'll make it.
All of a sudden, it's feeling quite heavy, isn't it?
The days were long, and gray.
It rained all the time. And I just never played.
I was always on the bench or getting sent out on loan.
"Why don’t I get an opportunity if I’m training well?"
Competing, practicing, being alone, traveling.
I can handle that.
But not being able to play… was something I just couldn't deal with.
I think he grew mentally stronger over time.
On the field, no doubt, because he never once stopped training.
He was always a beast in that way, particularly in training.
The most important thing was that he trusted himself.
Believing in, you know, your strengths, in what you do right,
and fixing the mistakes which we all make.
That was largely thanks to the help of a psychologist.
And I can tell you, it was the right thing for me.
It's something that I'd really never… I'd never considered it in the past.
But I wasn't afraid to say, "Look, I really need this."
And then, at one point, he finally met Mandinha.
Since he was alone there, he'd always eat… at a restaurant.
We’d go there to eat. The food was good and they spoke Spanish.
I didn’t speak a word of English.
It turns out that the restaurant was actually owned by Mandinha’s family.
The restaurant was called Nelitos.
WIFE
And it was located in North London.
That's where I had bought my apartment, and Emi… lived on the same street.
What? No way! Seriously!
How's that possible? I didn't do anything.
I didn't touch the switch.
Uh, excuse me. Do you happen to know the girl in the photo?
Sure, that's Mandinha, the owner's daughter.
Well, she was the owner’s daughter, and I don’t know, nothing really happened.
Hello, do you need anything?
A couple of teas, please.
I remember clearly, there was a specific week
when I kept seeing her every single day in central Enfield.
I'd go to a coffee shop, and he’d be there.
I’d stop by the restaurant, and he’d be there.
That whole week, he was always there.
I don’t know why or how, but I think it was destiny.
Of course. Yes, yes, don't worry.
That's how it was.
And I saw him so many times that I ended up asking his friend,
"Hey, listen, I've now seen Emi several times,
but every time he sees me, he just looks down."
"He doesn't even look at me."
He knew me! I mean, he'd known me for years already.
Hmm? Huh?
And at one point, she said to me,
"Hey, I saw you every day, but you didn't even say hi."
Ah!
I knew he was from Argentina, and I thought,
"That's odd. South Americans are usually very friendly." Like, "Hi there!"
Hmm?
Mmm…
-Oh! -Hmm.
And then one day, I got a message from Emi saying, "Listen, I'm not rude."
"I'm just really shy." And that's how it all started.
Uh, excuse me. Please forgive me.
Um, but I wanted to ask you
if you'd like to go out for a coffee someday.
Yeah, I would love that.
That's when we started dating.
Then he told us later, "Hey, guys, I’m dating an amazing girl."
"She’s actually from here. From London. Her parents are Latin as well."
"Her mom’s Brazilian and her dad’s Portuguese
To be honest, I have no idea how we communicated
because he did not speak English."
She helped me learn English really well.
Mandinha… was obviously a great support system for me in England.
She was my partner… my friend.
I don't think I would have put up with,
or even gotten to where I am here in England
if it hadn't been for her as well.
When you're far away from home and alone, problems always come up.
It always affects your game.
Arsenal will be seeking another title.
A stunning goal! What a triumph for Arsenal.
Is champion of England twice this year.
Woo-hoo! You can do it, Emi!
Hmm.
When I met Emi, he was at Arsenal, but he wasn't playing.
There were times when he… practically lost his… his passion and drive for soccer.
Hey, you. Listen to me. You know what they're saying about you?
That you're their long-term project.
Hey! The first-team goalkeeper is way better than you!
And he doesn’t even have a little switch to turn on or off!
When I was saying, "I'll just go back to Independiente."
"I'm not gonna make it,"
was the lowest point of my professional career.
We went through some really hard years…
for him, in… in regards to soccer.
And she was always, always a great help to me.
When I was down, she'd always say, "No, no."
Or when I was too upbeat, "No, no."
There were moments in life when Emi… I don't know, was down,
and didn't wanna play.
And I said to him, "It is your job, you have to play."
She's a very down-to-earth girl from a really great family.
For me, as an elite soccer player, it's very clear that our partners are
a huge part of the reason we are successful,
because it's ultimately about teamwork.
Mm.
Are you ready for dinner with my parents tonight?
You're not gonna tell me you're feeling shy again, right ?
Uh, no, It's just that I need to tell you something.
But now? Don't you freak me out.
I need to tell you something about me.
Uh, I don't really know how to say this.
Um, it's what made me a goalkeeper and brought me here.
But I haven't been able to do it for a while.
Oh!
Ah!
Yeah-ha-ha!
Emi, the superpower you're talking about
that lets you know what's about to happen just a second before it does,
what actually makes you so great is right here and here. All right?
The switch wasn't there to begin with.
It's all you. It's always been you.
Oh!
-Hmm. -Huh?
It's always been me.
Look who's back! It's the long-term project.
You're lucky in love, but unlucky on the field, huh?
Ooh!
"I'm so in love."
Hey, you! Hah! Ow!
Stop it! Stop it! People are asleep downstairs! Ow!
Tomorrow my story changes. And yours as well!
No!
Being a goalkeeper is very unforgiving, and you have to wait for opportunities.
It's different to a striker who can come on for three minutes
and… score a tap-in, and suddenly it’s, "Wow, what an amazing striker."
As a goalkeeper, you either wait for an injury or you have to be outstanding.
And I was doing really well… at practice.
It was the opportunity I had to show what I could do.
Aimed in towards Kelechi Iheanacho…
Just gone straight at the goalkeeper.
This looks like it has potential
to be a very serious injury for Bernd Leno.
And the Arsenal substitute goalkeeper, Emi Martínez, is getting ready.
So the ball didn't do him too many favors,
but he still brought it back for Salah who's got time to take a touch.
People who reach that level on the world stage do so
because there’s something different about them.
What makes him unique is that he reads the person in front of him.
The personality of whoever’s taking the shot.
…matched by the save from Martínez!
He's definitely got a sixth sense.
The way I see it is that when he's in the goal, he grows,
as if he were about to transform into a superhero.
Harry Kane has got himself…
It’s like something clicked in him, and from then on,
he took off and never stopped.
Near post, Walters. Diouf. Flag's up. That is an outstanding stop.
I'd say that competition gave me more than talent ever did, to be honest.
'Cause I've always been talented at soccer, it's always been my thing.
My dad always said I had some kind of magic.
Emi always had something special that lit him up like magic.
There was always a stretch, or a block, or a save.
There are thousands of talented people, but…. only a few of them… make sacrifices.
He’s always been that way.
As the years went by, being so far from his roots,
therapy did help him a lot because it’s not easy.
I think what changed everything was Santi.
When Santi was born, I told myself that would be my last loan.
It was something that drove me.
I’ve always been driven by goals. And my goal was clear.
I couldn’t keep going from place to place, from one loan to another.
Ah!
My nephew was born during the World Cup, right in the middle.
We qualified for the round of 16 and being the fan that I am,
I kept saying, "I wanna go! I wanna go to the World Cup."
And I said, "Let's go then."
And we went because I wasn't playing much anyway.
So we went to Russia, just the two of us, together.
And we jinxed it, 'cause we lost that game. It was awful.
Argentina once again has been eliminated from the World Cup.
Next time will be the one.
I saw the goalkeeper and I couldn't understand
why my brother wasn't there.
And I knew Emi had everything it took.
And in his mind, he knew he should be there.
Next World Cup, I’ll be the one in goal. For sure.
And that became my focus over… the next four years,
to become the starting goalkeeper at the World Cup in Qatar.
In the club locker room, he always keeps a piece of paper
with a list of what he wants to achieve during that season.
And he's always able to make it happen.
Always.
Arsenal going for their 14th FA Cup title.
A shot here from Mason Mount. The first save.
Martínez at full stretch, magnificent!
Once again, underlines his quality between the posts.
What a stop from the Argentine Martínez!
It's been a long fight for you to get in this side.
A decade in its entirety to get here.
You're chosen for the final.
And now you and your family can celebrate winning this FA Cup,
largely thanks to this man on your left-hand side.
Thank you.
If you can put it into words, we'd love for you to.
I asked him before the game, "You gonna win us the game?"
"Because you're the captain."
And he did it. Um…
-And regarding my family, I can't talk. -Great respect for this man.
For the first time, he had done it,
winning a title at Wembley, one of England’s most iconic stadiums.
It lifted a weight off his shoulders. He was so close to the national team.
It gave him a chance to apply some pressure, so to speak.
At the national team level, they saw a keeper who was quick,
and always in the right place.
But well, the reality was… that was Armani's spot.
How could you drop Armani?
It was impossible. It’s like coming in behind Messi.
How do you drop Messi?
Martín Tocalli, the goalkeeping coach…
ARGENTINE NATIONAL TEAM COACH
knew him from having coached him before.
He always knew what he was made of.
And now it was just about playing regularly for his club,
gaining that consistency and truly believing in himself.
Is he unlike the others? Yes.
His mindset is what sets him apart.
GOALKEEPING COACH ARGENTINE NATIONAL TEAM
That journey made him stronger.
Franco and Gonzalo won't be able to travel
because their PCR test results are still coming back positive.
We're going to play with Emiliano Martínez.
The level Emiliano's been performing at really speaks for itself,
and this could be his chance.
At that time when Scaloni
mentioned Emi, and said… he was gonna be the goalkeeper of the national team…
I was at home by myself and I went to the park with my maté.
And thought back to everything he had done as a kid.
MARTÍNEZ CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL TEAM KEEPER
Why did Scaloni choose this guy?
SAFE HANDS IN GOAL?
Are we going to win the Copa América with an unknown keeper?
WHO IS THIS LOSER?
Very odd.
Guy said, "If you don’t have cable, you've no idea where he plays."
I'm like, "You don’t follow soccer."
I find it hard to believe
that a journalist wouldn’t do their homework
on the person they’re going to… talk about.
Hey!
Hey! Don't you look the other way! I'm talking to you!
You're just a long-term project, you know?
Even if you think you don't use that little switch anymore!
I wasn’t new to the Argentina national team.
But to the public, to the fans, I was completely new to them.
For me, joining the national team
felt like going back to the AFA training ground
back when I was 14.
When Emi started playing for Argentina, he had three numbers.
He had always used number 26.
He was like, "Oh, 26 isn't available."
He was so upset about it.
And I told him, "Wait a minute, what other numbers are there?"
He said number 13 was still available,
and some other number I can't remember and number 23.
And I said to him, "Hey, Emi, Santi was born on the 23rd."
"Oh! That's right! Gotta go!"
And he hung up the phone and went to claim number 23.
But it was obvious it had to be 23, of course!
The Copa América is underway!
Argentina looks to reach another final! It's been 28 years! Will they finally win?
A lifetime of work came down to five or six games.
Chile advances. Goal threat… Martínez is there! Martínez!
Great character,
showing Scaloni's strength in the national team goal.
When he went to the Copa América,
it was the same year I was pregnant with our daughter.
My wife was pregnant at the time.
And of course, I wanted to be there when our daughter was born.
I did not want to watch any games at all.
Not a single one. I was just so upset that he wasn't there.
"With everything going on with the virus, I can’t go."
In that moment, when he told me he wouldn’t make it,
that it wasn't possible,
that's when I thought to myself, "Okay, It's not gonna happen."
"I'm gonna be fine and that's that."
She was born two days before the Ecuador game.
My dad and brother said to me, "She's our good luck charm."
He watched her birth through a tablet.
That's how he saw Ava for the first time.
Not being there in that moment, so far away… it was really tough.
I told him, "You have to win. If you don’t, this was all for nothing."
"You understand?"
QUARTER-FINALS
Two days later, I played the game,
and was like, "There’s no way you’re scoring on me."
That’s when he really grew as a player.
He developed well and matured a lot.
He made the national team, and everything just fell into place.
Then, against Colombia.
Argentina and Colombia go to penalties to decide who makes the final.
When it comes to penalty shootouts, I've always said
that with my height and my leg strength, I know well that if I choose the side,
there's an 80% chance that I'll save it.
It's not 50-50.
If I choose the correct side, it's 80%.
The penalty shootout is now tied one to one.
Sánchez! It's Dibu! Dibu Martínez! Martínez! Martínez!
You can see he doesn’t mess with everyone the same way.
With some players, he takes it very seriously, as he should.
With others, he teases them a bit
to throw them off and shake their confidence.
-You're laughing 'cause you're nervous. -Yeah.
You're nervous You put it on the wrong spot!
-No, it's the penalty spot. -Sure, play dumb. I know you man.
There were no fans in the stadium, but for the player taking the penalty,
it’s still extra pressure.
You can hear him talking to you, and right up until you kick the ball,
he’s still in your ear.
I'll save it anyway. I'm gonna eat you alive, bro.
I'm gonna eat you alive!
And Martínez saves it! It's Dibu once again! The great Dibu!
You know how many penalties I’ve taken against him?
He'd say the same as he did to the Colombians.
He competed with me about dishes.
Imagine him defending 46 million Argentinians.
No way that ball was going in.
I think it was just something that came out in that moment
because, both to us and for him, saving the ball is like scoring a goal.
If he saves, we're in the final.
Cardona! Dibu! This is incredible! Unbelievable! Martínez!
That's where he shows up… as Dibu.
Argentina! Argentina is in the Copa América final!
That's when he really… began stepping up
and making a huge difference for us.
Let's go, Argentina We're gonna win
Well, to be honest, it's a unique time for myself and my family.
I became a dad again just four days ago… and I still haven't met my daughter.
I'm here chasing a dream of winning a title with the national team.
Yeah. It was a very difficult time for the family.
Imagine for him, being so far away, not seeing his daughter,
not being able to touch her.
And it's not just that.
Ava was born and it took three whole weeks before he was even able…
JULY 2021
to hold her.
It's now or never against Brazil. Come on, Argentina!
He knew he was gonna save everything that came his way.
There was nothing else in his mind.
The thought was, "I'm gonna be the one."
Brazil looking for the equalizer.
Neymar… cross into the box. Cleared away!
Impressive save from Martínez! What's happening is absolutely wild!
It finally happened!
Twenty-eight years later,
the Argentina national team finally wins a title!
AFTER 28 YEARS, ARGENTINA CHAMPION OF AMERICA AGAIN
As he said before the game in the pep talk,
Dibu didn’t get to hold his daughter, but the sacrifice paid off.
Dibu got to lift the Cup and Argentina can say it again!
We're champions!
"See, we won the Copa América thanks to our baby girl," she said.
It was a very difficult time… but at least they won. It's done.
Daddy!
Hi, sweetie! I missed you so much.
Come here, give me a big kiss and an even bigger hug.
Now, every time I see her, I go around telling everyone in Argentina,
"She brought us the Copa América."
Hey!
Once I became number one and was set to play in the World Cup,
I focused on what I had to improve to win it.
But I didn't say, "I'm going to win the next World Cup in Qatar,
being Argentina's star man."
No, I have my process, but I’m not clueless.
I know every process has its own story.
A new dream begins. Here we are in Qatar.
FIFA WORLD CUP
Two teams chasing the same dream.
Another perfectly placed shot. What a goal!
Real disappointment for Argentina.
Saudi Arabia two, Argentina one.
I remember the silence in the locker room after the game.
All you could hear was the equipment manager
picking up the boots, the sound of the studs on the ground.
That's something I still remember clearly, like it's still playing in slow motion.
24 HOURS BEFORE THE MATCH AGAINST MEXICO
Two-zero against them, two-zero.
Remember… remember it. Best at the World Cup.
ARGENTINA WINS GROUP AND QUALIFIES
After victory against Mexico, Argentina beat Poland two-zero,
and won their group.
They say warriors are forged through hardship,
and I think we became stronger.
FIFA WORLD CUP - QUARTER-FINAL ARGENTINA VS. NETHERLANDS
Van Dijk!
And Dibu! Dibu! Dibu Martinez! He is simply phenomenal!
And he got even bigger, if that was even possible.
Dibu, Dibu, Dibu Martínez!
He saved it! He did it again! He is spectacular!
When you have a keeper like that, it gives you confidence.
Messi’s team is now one of the top four teams in the world.
Hugs, tears, you know? We were like two little kids.
"You did it again. You helped us once more."
And the ending feels sweeter when something good happens.
ARGENTINA BEATS NETHERLANDS ON PENALTIES, REACHES SEMIFINAL
The dream is alive! Getting so much closer!
Why is Argentina in the semifinals?
'Cause we've got guts. We've got so much heart.
And we're doing it… for 45 million people.
LET'S GO FOR THE THIRD
Argentina routed Croatia three-zero and is in the final.
FIFA WORLD CUP - FINAL
The most important match
of the last 36 years for the Argentine national team.
Argentina put the World Cup on the line against France.
We were in control, two-zero up in the final, everyone happy.
And suddenly, like it always does with Argentines, a wave hit us.
Mbappé! Goal for France!
Mbappé makes it level with a superb goal!
And suddenly, Argentina are really under pressure.
I can't believe this.
Talk about suffering, huh?
Argentinians always have to suffer! Well, that's… how it is.
The last minute of the game felt supernormal.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
123rd minute of extra time, it’s the last play of the match,
and it’s France’s ball.
Otamendi clears it. Konaté at the back…look!
Otamendi misses, and Kolo Muani shoots!
From the moment it fell to Otamendi, I don’t know if I had one or two seconds.
It was the moment of the match,
the World Cup on the line for France.
I just froze, though I saw it.
I could hear people screaming and jumping all around me.
I just stood there like a statue. No reaction whatsoever.
I didn’t come flying out to close him down
because he would've chipped me.
I didn’t go back either.
If I lost control of it, he could've slipped it to Mbappé.
So I stayed right in the middle, put him under pressure,
and forced him to take the shot.
I already told you.
I'm the one who decides if you become the hero or the villain.
The ball hit me here where the star is.
A little higher, and it would have deflected and gone in.
Four years later, you’re left feeling like an idiot. You know?
I believe it’s the best save in history
because of the context.
It’s the World Cup, it’s a final, it’s the 123rd minute of extra time,
and the way Emiliano handled it.
I dare to say something like that because I’m convinced it’s true.
After thinking about it, a save is just like a goal, am I right?
Muah!
I wanted to go to penalties. I didn't wanna play anymore.
Coman, Coman, Coman!
He dives! Dibu Martínez dives!
Come on, Argentina! Let's go!
Argentina has the advantage in this penalty shootout.
Putting pressure on him, I knew he'd miss. I could feel he'd miss.
Not that I'd save it, that he'd miss.
He kicks it. It goes wide! It's wide! It's wide!
When he actually missed it, I felt this joy inside,
like, "What I thought would happen actually did!"
Tchouaméni's shot goes wide! Come on, dance, Dibu, dance!
Come on, Argentina! Montiel goes for it!
Goal!
Argentina are world champions!
Embraced by all his teammates!
After 36 years, Argentina are…
Champions of the world!
It's over. Argentina are world champions.
After the final, I walked onto the field.
And all it took was a look.
I think sometimes a look says more than a thousand words, doesn't it?
What you experience, what you feel, you just can’t explain it.
Let's go, let's go, Argentina
No matter what happens in my career, the group of us that played the World Cup,
those 40 days we spent together at the Qatar university,
we'll always remember it.
And I'm so happy. You do it for pride and for passion.
I still want to become the most-capped goalkeeper
in the history of the national team.
And I still have a lot more goals left to achieve.
Push!
Hmm…
You're the best, Dibu! Thank you!
We're proud that he's from Mar del Plata.
Dibu Martínez is simply the best.
He's got the haircut and color that Dibu had.
He's an example that anything is possible.
Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, honorary citizen.
Looking back, you realize he came from a small neighborhood field.
Sacrifice leads you to glory.
He always did everything he could to reach his goals.
Did it take a long time? Maybe. Or not. I don't know.
It depends on how… you choose to look at it.
There he is, he'll stay with Granddad.
His success is our family’s success
because behind every player are people supporting them
and working just as hard.
Ale and I were always trying to chase that same dream,
just like Emi did.
It means everything to me. Really. I…
All the sacrifices in a lifetime,
you embrace them in two seconds.
That’s what he was born for. To be a goalkeeper.
Hey! Yeah!
-Mom, Dad! We're champions! -Mm.
Hey, boys! Is that you?
A little bit like, not really scolding them, but like, "Boys!"
Hey, boys! How was your day at school today?
I'm gonna eat you alive, bro! I'm gonna eat you alive!
Save this, let's see if you can.
What have I told you about your school pants?
Do you wanna tell me what you're going to wear tomorrow?
What actually happened is that I left them on the bus,
so I had to fix his ripped pants with a patch.
Do I have to say, "Woo-hoo"?
Woo-hoo! You can do it, Emi!
No!
What are you doing? Oh, no! Ouch!
Ow… No! Ouch!
Supercool, yeah?
Okay! That's it! Bravo!
And that's a wrap.