Emi Martinez won’t be playing for Argentina in the upcoming Paris Olympics as the keeper makes the decision final.
Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez’s name was not mentioned in the Argentina National squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics. It is understood that Aston Villa is blocking the Argentine to join his National side for the tournament.
Martinez said last month that he was willing to join his national side willing to oppose his club’s stance on the same. Although, the keeper was eager to get the Olympic Gold with his team now it is not possible. Since the Olympic Tournament is not officially recognised by FIFA the clubs are not obliged to send the players on national duty. Therefore, clubs can use this to not officially send the players for the competition and block them.
The teams are only permitted (in the Olympics) to have players under the age of 23 years. The teams are allowed to have only three other senior players in their squad. Earlier, the Argentine coach Javier Mascherano had plans to name Nicolas Otamendi, Julian Alvarez and lastly, Emi Martinez to fill the vacancies.
Now, however, he has named Geronimo Rulli in the 18-man squad ruling out Martinez. The Ajax goalkeeper will be now filling in for the Aston Villa keeper. The 2024 Olympics Football tournament will be running from July 24 to August 9 this summer. This means the players who attend it will miss the pre-season with their clubs. Hence, Aston Villa opted to keep the Argentine keeper.
Martinez ‘fight’ for the way
Presently, Emi Martinez is away in the US representing Argentina in the Copa America. The defending champions aim to win another title in a row.
Last month when asked about his position on the upcoming Olympics, Emi Martinez said:
“The club has blocked me from going lots of times before but I want to play Copa America first.
“I know that I have to fight a little bit more with the club, it’s not 100 percent done, but from my part. It is a wish that I have, that I want to win the Olympics. It’s not obligatory for the club to let a player leave to play in the Olympics, I know that my club has not let any player go, they blocked everyone.”
Moreover, Aston Villa has also blocked France’s Lucas Digne and Moussa Diaby from the same.
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