Emiliano Martínez, the Argentine keeper known as Dibu, dominates for Aston Villa and Argentina with epic saves and trophies. Here’s his full 2026 profile packed with latest stats.
Emiliano Martínez’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero |
| Nickname | Dibu |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 85 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Youth Clubs | Independiente (2008–2010), Arsenal (2010–2012) |
| Senior Clubs | Arsenal (2012–2020), Aston Villa (2020–present) |
| Jersey Number | 23 |
| International Debut | June 3, 2021 vs Chile |
| Turned Professional | 2012 (Arsenal) |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $48-50 million |
| Annual Salary (reported) | £7.8-8.3 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Amanda “Mandinha” Gama (since 2017) |
| Children | Son Santi, Daughter Ava |
| Instagram Profile | @emi_martinez26 |
Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero, aka Dibu, stands tall at 1.95m as Aston Villa’s #23 and Argentina’s hero. At 33 in 2026, the Mar del Plata native boasts a $48-50M net worth from his Premier League pay and deals. Married to Mandinha with two kids, he’s family-focused off-pitch.
Early Career
Emiliano Martínez kicked off at Independiente’s youth setup in Mar del Plata before trialing for Arsenal at 17 in 2009, signing in 2010. He turned pro in 2012 but spent years on loans: Oxford United (2012), Sheffield Wednesday (2013-14), Rotherham, Wolves (2015), Getafe (2017), Reading (2019).
Those tough spells built his grit—he nearly quit but pushed on. By 2019, he broke into Arsenal’s first team, winning FA Cup and Community Shield.
Professional Career
In 2020, Martínez joined Aston Villa for £20M, smashing their clean sheet record with 15 in his debut Premier League season. He’s since hit 150+ apps, named vice-captain in 2022, and reached 100 PL games by 2023.
In 2025/26, he’s played 30 PL matches, 7 clean sheets, 35 goals conceded, 7.08 FotMob rating, 2 yellows. Key saves keep Villa competitive. Internationally, since 2021 debut, he’s won 2021 & 2024 Copa América (Golden Gloves both), 2022 World Cup (best GK), with 59 caps by 2026 (2 in ’26). Dibu’s mind games shine in shootouts.
Wife
Emiliano Martínez married Amanda “Mandinha” Gama on May 22, 2017. The couple has a son named Santi and a daughter named Ava. Mandinha runs an interior design business for kids’ spaces and shares family moments on her Instagram @mandinha_martinez_ with 756K followers. They keep things low-key but supportive amid his fame.
Emiliano Martínez’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Emiliano Martínez’s net worth hits $48-50 million USD This comes from his Villa wages, past Arsenal earnings, smart investments, and image rights. Previously at £37.5M, it grew with trophies and market value around €18-25M. No flashy spending—he focuses on family and future security.
Contract
Martínez signed a long-term extension with Aston Villa until June 30, 2029, with 5 years and £39M gross salary left as of 2026. This followed a 2022 deal to 2027, upgraded in 2024. It secures his spot as #1 keeper amid Villa’s rise. Terms include base pay plus bonuses for clean sheets and performances.
Salary
Emiliano Martínez pulls in £150,000-160,000 weekly at Aston Villa, totaling £7.8-8.3 million annually for 2024-2026 seasons, excluding bonuses. That’s up from £120,000/week earlier. In INR terms, it’s around ₹93 crore yearly. This makes him one of the Premier League’s top-paid keepers, reflecting his value post-World Cup heroics.
Career Earnings
| Year | Weekly Wage | Annual Salary | Club |
| 2026 | £160,000 | £8,320,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2025 | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2024 | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2023 | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | Aston Villa |
| 2022 | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | Aston Villa |
| Total Est. Career Gross (to 2026) | – | £45M+ | – |
His adjusted career earnings top £45 million by 2026, boosted by Villa loyalty.
Endorsements
Martínez endorses Adidas, switching from Puma in 2018—he’s spotted in Predator Edge boots. Deals cover image rights and gear, adding millions yearly to his income. No other major public sponsors listed, but his 14M+ Instagram reach draws brands quietly. These boost his net worth beyond salary.
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details |
| Premier League Clean Sheets (Villa debut season) | 15 (club record) |
| International Caps (as of 2026) | 59 for Argentina |
| World Cup | Winner 2022, Best Goalkeeper |
| Copa América | Winner 2021 & 2024, Golden Glove both |
| Premier League Apps (Villa) | 150+ by 2024, ongoing |
| 2025/26 PL Season | 30 matches, 7 clean sheets, 35 GA, 7.08 rating |
| Penalties Saved | Key in shootouts, e.g., WC final |
| Other Titles | 3x FA Cup (Arsenal), 3x Community Shield |
FAQs
1. Who is Emiliano Martínez?
Emiliano Martínez is an Argentine professional goalkeeper for Aston Villa in the Premier League and the Argentina national team. Born on September 2, 1992, in Mar del Plata, he is nicknamed “Dibu” and renowned for penalty saves.
2. What is his career background?
Martínez started at Independiente, joined Arsenal in 2010 with multiple loans to clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves, broke through in 2019–20 winning the FA Cup, then transferred to Aston Villa in 2020 for £20 million.
3. What achievements mark his Aston Villa tenure?
At Villa since 2020, he set a club-record 15 clean sheets in his debut Premier League season, earned Supporters’ Player of the Season, extended contracts to 2029, and won Premier League Save of the Month in December 2024.
4. What international honors has he won?
Martínez debuted for Argentina in 2021, won Copa América 2021 and 2024 with Golden Gloves, FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Glove, Finalissima 2022, and The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2022 and 2024.
5. Why is he famous for penalties?
He excels in shoot-outs, saving 10 of 23 attempts across five with Argentina and Villa by 2024, using psychological tactics like taunts and delays to disrupt takers.
6. What is his playing style?
Martínez features strong shot-stopping, rebound control, distribution, and commanding presence, though criticized for errors and concessions in 2024–25.
7. What is his current contract status?
He signed a long-term deal with Aston Villa until June 30, 2029, in August 2024, wearing number 23 for luck tied to his son Santi’s birthdate.
8. Does he have family details?
Married to Amanda “Mandinha” Gama since 2017, with son Santi and daughter Ava; the number 23 honors Santi.
9. What individual awards has he received?
Yashin Trophy 2023 and 2024, Copa América Team of the Tournament twice, Premier League Save of the Season 2024–25, and Argentina Footballer of the Year 2024.
10. What recent controversies occurred?
FIFA banned him for two matches in 2024 for fair play violations like trophy gestures and camera assault; lost vice-captaincy at Villa in 2025 amid transfer speculation.