Shropshire Star

Aston Villa's Emi Martinez kicks bread and fizzy to preserve World Cup dream

Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has ditched bread and fizzy drinks to help preserve his World Cup dream.

Published

The Argentina No.1 revealed the fear of suffering an injury and missing Qatar 2022 has prompted him to make changes to his diet.

Martinez will play nine matches for Villa before the tournament kicks off in November and said: “There is no time for anything now.

“If someone gets injured for four to six weeks they are already half a foot out of the World Cup.

“It is normal for the player to be afraid. I am taking care of myself more than ever. I try not to touch bread. I win a game and I want to have a cola and don’t. These are the things I am changing to have the lowest possible risk of injury.”

Martinez was rested for Argentina’s 3-0 friendly win over Honduras over the weekend but could feature when they face Jamaica in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The 30-year-old played a major role to help his country win last year’s Copa America and has explained previously how playing at a World Cup would fulfil a boyhood dream.

“I said this year I was going to prepare like I never prepared in my life,” he said. “When you play so many games it’s more about recovery and the fear of not getting injured.”