While FIFA tried to sanction him, Dibu Martinez's emotional speech upon winning 'The Best' goalkeeper

The Best awards are, along with the Ballon d'Or, the most important award that a footballer can receive. In this case, the shortlists are a bit broader since they also distinguish other personalities. In this case, and for the first time in history, an Argentine won the award for the best goalkeeper in the world: Emiliano Martínez. Although it was something that was supposed, this Monday it was confirmed.

After a spectacular 2022 season, the 'Dibu' managed to win The Best for best goalkeeper. After standing out in the World Cup in Qatar, being key in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands and in the final against France, by stopping a shot in the last minute of Kolo Muani's extra time and saving a penalty from Kingsley Coman.

The 30-year-old from Argentina received the trophy from Julio César, the legendary goalkeeper for the Brazilian team and Inter Italy. Visibly moved, he surprised several by not speaking in English and doing so in his native language, since each member of the room had a headset in his possession, through which each word was instantly translated into another language.

Taking the microphone, he thanked the coaching staff of the Argentine National Team, the coach and his teammates. Later, he made everyone emotional when in a passage of his speech, he revealed that as a boy he had his parents as idols, who worked so that he could fulfill his dreams, and that this achievement was now also for them. Inside there was a man who was also very important in his career: Arsene Wegner.

The Frenchman was the coach who gave Martínez the opportunity to debut as a professional. Even he was the one who observed and gave the go-ahead for him to stay in the ranks of Arsenal at the age of 16. When the goalkeeper got up to receive the award, the cameras focused on him for an instant, who could be seen with a big smile, surely very happy for his boy who has grown up.

Emiliano Martínez's emotional thanks after winning The Best:

In his dedication, the Aston Villa goalkeeper commented: “They always ask me who my idols are or who I watched when I was a kid… Watching my mom clean buildings for 8 or 9 hours and watching my dad work. They are my idols ”, he maintained on the verge of tears. Dibu Martinez's speech surprised on social networks, as the goalkeeper has a habit of being funny and controversial, as he was in the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and afterwards, after winning the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Now, fans finally know a more human and emotional part of the famous goalkeeper, and his maturity did not go unnoticed on social networks.