'I am focused only on winning' - Martinez wants Argentina to seize history in World Cup final

The Aston Villa goalkeeper said Argentina's success has been built over several years and insisted the team's only focus is on lifting the trophy again at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

"I am focused only on winning," Martinez said. "The whole team has improved so much and this is something we have spent years building."

Argentina arrive in the final as defending world champions after beating France on penalties in the 2022 final. Since then they have also won the Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 Finalissima against Italy.

Martinez admitted those achievements sometimes hit him long after the celebrations have ended.

"Honestly sometimes I cry to myself thinking about what we have achieved," he said. "I am just trying to enjoy the moment because sometimes as footballers you don't really realise where you are in your career."

The 33-year-old has encouraged his teammates to embrace the occasion rather than be weighed down by the pressure.

"My message to my teammates is that they should enjoy this moment and prepare with a smile on our faces. This is something we will remember forever."

Martinez played a decisive role in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, producing a remarkable late save to deny France striker Randal Kolo Muani in extra time before helping his side win the penalty shoot-out.

Looking back on that dramatic final, Martinez believes Argentina had been the better team for most of the match before France's late fightback.

"In the last final we were far superior to France for 80 minutes up until their penalty, but in the end we conceded three goals and usually when you let in three goals in a final you are more likely to lose," he said.

"I just had to make that save right at the end. Sometimes it comes off you and goes in. Against Jordan it hit me and went in. The other day it went through my legs. Thankfully in the final it didn't."

Despite arriving at this tournament with a fractured finger suffered while playing for Aston Villa in the Europa League final, Martinez believes he is performing even better than he did four years ago.

"I think I am playing better with my feet, my decision-making is much better, and I am eternally grateful to be playing in my fifth final with this team," he said.

Victory over Spain would see Argentina become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

Martinez believes the current squad's greatest legacy will be the determination and resilience they have shown throughout their journey.

"The players in the team come from working-class backgrounds," he said.

"Our parents have to work hard, and I think the Argentine people will remember us as hard workers, who never admit defeat. Even if sometimes things are hard we always come through, like in this World Cup."

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