Interview

Martinez - My emotions ahead of the cup final

Emi Martinez
Emi Martinez

Emi Martinez can still vividly remember the day his mother and father didn't eat just so him and his brother would not go hungry.

It was just one example of the sacrifices his family made for him as he sought to make his way in the game - and now he stands on the verge of playing in the Heads Up FA Cup final.

 

"It was a bit emotional [when the final whistle went in the semi-final]," Martinez said. "Not because we beat City, who for me are one of the best teams in Europe right now, but more because of how much I have been fighting to play in a final with the club I love.

 

"It has been 10 years since I joined the club and at the final whistle everything goes through your head. I wish the fans and my family would be here for the final, obviously with 90,000 or 80,000 people in Wembley, something you don’t play every day.

 

"I wish my whole family was there [on Saturday]. Like I said, we came from a poor, poor family and for them to see me there winning a trophy in front of 90,000 people and getting a medal would be something.

 

"I remember for my Champions League debut against Anderlecht, [my Dad] flew 27 hours to reach that game and he was crying all 95 minutes!" he added.

 

"I am so far away from home. Because of lockdown, I have not seen my mum and dad for a year. It will be tough, but I will be thinking about them when I play.

 

"I remember the day that me and my brother ate and not my mum and dad. So I know exactly what they've been through. I was living in Buenos Aires and I would only see them twice a month, when I travelled, because they couldn't afford the petrol to go and see me. So I know what they did for me to reach the top where I am now."

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