Emiliano Martinez reveals he played through a broken finger at the 2022 World Cup

Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has disclosed that he competed in the 2022 World Cup while suffering from a broken finger. The injury occurred during a Europa League match prior to the tournament. Upon receiving the diagnosis, Martinez feared he would miss the World Cup, but head coach Lionel Scaloni assured him of his place in the squad regardless of his fitness. To manage the injury, he opted against surgery and wore a specialized glove designed by Adidas, which rendered him unable to feel one of his fingers throughout the competition.

The physical toll was severe, as Martinez described himself as feeling like a "zombie" during the tournament. He was unable to train with standard footballs, opting for volleyballs instead to minimize pain. Every time his hand touched the ground, he experienced intense discomfort, often crying from the swelling. Medical imaging confirmed the fracture remained split in two even after the tournament concluded. Martinez highlighted these details as evidence of the immense personal sacrifice athletes endure to represent their national teams at the highest level of professional sport.