Chelsea's Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez said he played in the recent World Cup with a broken finger after refusing surgery that could have ruled him out of the tournament. He also reflected on Argentina's defeat to Spain in the final on 19 July.
What Martínez said about the final
Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final on 19 July to a single Ferran Torres goal.
Speaking in an interview with "Los Edul", the programme presented by Argentine journalists Gastón Edul and Esteban Edul, Martínez said: "Even they thought so. I heard them say: we have to win here. We can't go to penalties. I was sorry, and I said they scored the goal in the first ball of the second period of extra time, and that if we weren't champions it was because of that moment. I was completely certain that it was my day."
Martínez said: "One of their goalkeepers told me: thank God they won the match."
Martínez acknowledged that Spain had won the final well.
Martínez said: "They are very good, but I have a feeling that we would have beaten them today."
The finger injury and surgery decision
GOAL reported that Martínez said he was injured in the Europa League final when his ring finger slipped and medical tests later showed his finger was broken.
Martínez said: "The match ended, and everything returned to normal, but it was very painful. When I got to Birmingham, I went to the hospital, they showed me the images and told me my finger was broken. At that point I said: no, I won't be able to make it to the World Cup, and I started to cry."
GOAL reported that Martínez said he chose to skip surgery after consulting national team doctor Dani and Martín Tocalli.
GOAL reported that Martínez said he could not train normally even before the match against Switzerland.
GOAL reported that Martínez said his finger will carry the damage for life and that he can no longer use his hand normally in certain movements.
Other injury details and return aim
GOAL reported that Martínez also spoke about a fractured jaw that needed surgery.
Martínez said: "I passed out and don't remember anything. They put an X-ray up in the hospital, and I lost 3 teeth."
GOAL reported that Martínez said Lionel Scaloni sent him a message saying he would take him to the tournament whether he could play or not.
Martínez said: "I need to play with Argentina, and my intention is to return during the international break."
