Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

News

HomeNewsAston Villa

Lionel Messi reacts as Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez wins the Yacine Trophy

Vishal Subramanian

Tue 29 October 2024 7:15, UK

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was honoured at the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala in Paris for his outstanding season for club and country.

For the second time ruꦰnning, he was presented with the Yacine Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in world football and selected by former🌱 Ballon d’Or winners.

Martinez made history by becoming the first player to win the award in successive years, beating the likes of Mike Maignan, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Andr💜iyꦦ Lunin, among others this year.

Several teammates from the club and country congratulated the Aston Villa goalkeeper, and Argentina captain Lionel Messi joined in on the act.

Read More: Ian Taylor says Aston Villa have the ‘best in the world’ in his p♛ositio🧔n

Lionel Messi lauds Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez

Ma꧅rtinez played a pivotal role for Argentina as they won the 2024 Copa America to cap off one of the greatest spells in the count൲ry’s history.

The en🌄igmatic goalkeeper was in the squad when Argentina won the competition in 2021 and also played a sꦏtarring role in their 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, cementing his status as an all-time great.

The 2023-24 campaign turned ou🎐t to be a successful one for Martinez, who was in sublime form for Aston Villa as they finished fourth in the Premier League to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 40 years.

After he bagged the Yacine Trophy for his heroics between the☂ sticks, Messi took to Instagram to congratulate him and Lautaro Martinez, who finished seventh in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.

The translated version of Messi’s caption reads, “Congratulati💯ons to all the winners and nominees of the Ballon d’Or 2024.

“Especially to Dibu (what a great, another award for best goalkeeper in ꦗthe world!), to Lautaro, to Leo and Ale. It’s very nice to see them there!”

Read More: Bologna goalkeeper hails Aston Villa ace w♑ho ‘played a great game’ in Champions League

Martinez’s 2023-24 season stats for Aston Villa

Martinez played 47 times across all competitions for Unai Emery’s side and kept 15 clean sheets as they enjoy꧂ed 𒅌one of their best-ever seasons in the top flight.

He conceded just one goal in the 2024 Copa America and played every minute for Lionel Scaloni’s side as Argentina retained the trophy♚.

Martinez’s stock has risen considerabl❀y since his transfer from Arsenal to Aston Villa and the towering goalkeeper is undoubtedly one of the best in the business currently𒅌.