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The entire football world is gearing up for Lionel Messi's farewell with the Argentina national team on Tuesday evening, but Emiliano Martínez has revealed that La Albiceleste's players already kicked off the celebrations, welcoming Messi back with "hugs and a barbecue."
Messi will say goodbye to Argentina in the match against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. La Albiceleste thrashed Burkina Faso 7–0 on Saturday in their final game before the historic occasion, after which Martínez spoke about how the squad planned to receive Messi at camp and give him a fitting send-off.
"We talked, and he's coming to camp on Sunday night," Martínez said after the win. "We'll have an asado [barbecue] at our base with him, and we'll try to shower him with affection for the little time he has left."
The goalkeeper stayed true to his word and shared a video on social media Sunday night showing the barbecue being prepared to kick off Messi's celebrations. Martínez, along with the rest of Argentina's squad, is determined to make Messi's farewell as memorable and joyful as possible for the greatest player of all time.
"We'll do our best to make sure he enjoys every moment," Martínez said. "Shower him with hugs, kisses, and make sure he leaves happy."
Helping Messi Win Titles Was "Greatest Honor" of Emi Martínez's Career
Emiliano Martínez became Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper under Lionel Scaloni in the summer of 2021, just one month before the 2021 Copa América. What followed was history in the making.
With Martínez between the posts, Messi finally put an end to years of international disappointment, as Argentina claimed two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup. Martínez proved crucial as Argentina navigated four penalty shootouts on their way to lifting those three trophies, and his point-blank stop against Randal Kolo Muani in the 2022 World Cup final has since become one of the most iconic saves in football history.
"I tried to help him as much as I could, he knows that, we always talk about it," Martínez said. "It was one of the greatest honors of my career, trying to help him achieve what he wanted so badly.
"He's the greatest player to ever play the game, and I'm proud to be part of [his journey], thank God. On Tuesday, I just want to see him enjoying himself and smiling."
Emiliano Martínez Considered Argentina Retirement
"El Dibu" is set to become one of Argentina's key figures in the post-Messi era, yet just a few months ago, the 34-year-old's own international future was very much in question. "We will have to see if it's time to step aside," Martínez wrote in an Instagram post after La Albiceleste's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
"Obviously losing a World Cup final was incredibly difficult for me," Martínez admitted. "The pain stayed with me for a long time. I needed a fresh start at club level to try to ease the hurt I was carrying after the final."
"I managed to do that, and now I'm here feeling good, happy, and full of energy. Ultimately, I have to represent my country and my family, and I have to do it to the very best of my ability."
Martínez departed Aston Villa for Chelsea late in the summer transfer window. Reinvigorated, he is now fully focused on La Albiceleste as the 2030 cycle gets underway. While he acknowledges that Messi's absence will leave a significant void, Martínez is confident that others will rise to the challenge.
"He leaves an enormous gap," Martínez said of Messi's retirement. "But there are players here with strong characters who will step up."