Emiliano Martínez has earned global acclaim since lifting the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, but not everyone is convinced by his reputation. Chilean commentator Roberto Rojas has publicly downplayed the Aston Villa goalkeeper’s achievements, insisting that compatriot Claudio Bravo is “technically far better” than the World Cup winner.
Speaking to Red Gol, Rojas argued that Martínez’s success owes more to Argentina’s collective strength than his own brilliance. His remarks come days after the 31-year-old’s costly mistake against Liverpool — a misplaced pass straight to Mohamed Salah that gifted the Reds the opener in their 2-0 win over Villa.
Rojas: “Being World Champion Doesn’t Count for Much”
Rojas’ comments cut against the grain of Martínez’s rise, challenging the narrative that he is the world’s leading goalkeeper.
“Technically, Claudio Bravo is far better. Dibu Martínez uses his height and physical strength, but technically he has many things to improve,” Rojas said. — Roberto Rojas, via *Red Gol*
He continued:
“A World Cup title carries weight, it goes down in history, of course it does. But Claudio is technically better. Besides, for me, being a world champion doesn’t count for much.” — Roberto Rojas
The Chilean went on to praise Bravo’s club achievements — spanning spells at Barcelona, Real Sociedad and Manchester City — while arguing that Argentina’s collective discipline and Lionel Messi’s genius carried Martínez to glory.
“Argentina had a very disciplined team and an exceptional player,” Rojas added. “They made the team work for that individual talent, like in the case of Messi. Martínez was part of a great team and was indeed crucial in the World Cup, but I’m analysing it more from a technical standpoint.”
Martínez’s Recent Form Under the Microscope
The timing of the criticism is notable. Martínez’s misplaced pass at Anfield reignited debates about his risk-taking with the ball — a hallmark of Unai Emery’s build-from-the-back philosophy at Aston Villa. The goalkeeper quickly took responsibility for the blunder, but it fuelled critics who see flaws beneath his confident persona.
Despite the Liverpool slip, Martínez remains central to Villa’s resurgence under Emery. The Argentine has kept multiple clean sheets this term, earning praise from Premier League analysts for his command and leadership — traits that contrast sharply with Rojas’s technical critique.
Numbers That Tell the Story
| Stat (2025/26) | Emiliano Martínez |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 11 |
| Clean Sheets | 5 |
| Saves per Match | 3.2 |
| Errors Leading to Goals | 1 |
source: Premier League data – 3 November 2025
The stats underline Martínez’s importance to Villa despite occasional lapses. His distribution success rate remains above 80%, showing confidence in playing out from the back — even if that confidence sometimes backfires.
Our View: Technical Debate or Disrespect?
In our view, Rojas’ remarks reflect a broader divide in how goalkeeping is judged today. Traditionalists often value positional and technical precision over athletic dominance and psychological presence — areas where Martínez excels. Bravo, now 42, was indeed one of Europe’s cleanest technicians at his peak, but Martínez’s emotional leadership and penalty heroics for Argentina have redefined what modern goalkeepers bring to elite teams.
We believe it’s less about who is “better” and more about differing eras and styles: Bravo the silent technician; Martínez the fiery modern leader. Both excelled — just in different contexts.
Key Insights
- Roberto Rojas claims Claudio Bravo is “technically far better” than Emiliano Martínez.
- Rojas says being a World Cup winner “doesn’t count for much.”
- Martínez criticised after error in 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
- Despite mistake, Martínez remains pivotal for Aston Villa under Unai Emery.
- Debate highlights clash between old-school goalkeeping technique and modern athleticism.
What’s Next for Aston Villa and Martínez
Martínez will look to respond on the pitch when Aston Villa host Bournemouth next weekend, eager to erase memories of the Liverpool defeat. Unai Emery is expected to keep faith in his No.1, whose mental resilience has long been one of his trademarks. With Villa chasing another European qualification campaign, a strong response from their World Cup winner could silence any lingering noise from South America.
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