Emiliano Martinez, Argentina's goalkeeper, expressed pride in what the 'Tango dancers' have achieved in recent years, noting that he sometimes cries when he recalls the magnitude of the team's accomplishments, ahead of facing Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Martinez said in the press conference for the final match: 'First, we have to win, that's all I focus on. I don't think about anything else. What we have achieved is the fruit of the entire team's growth; for years we have been building something that is hard to describe in words. Sometimes I cry when I think about what we have accomplished. Now we have to enjoy this moment, because a professional player does not always realize the value of the place he has reached. We must enjoy it, because it will remain eternal for a lifetime.'

Regarding playing in a new World Cup final, he said: 'Honestly, I feel very calm. If you had seen me during the qualifiers... Many believe that a good goalkeeper is only one who saves shots, but there is more to it, such as dealing with crosses, and staying calm when playing the ball back. These aspects give my teammates confidence when they see that Dibu is calm. My job is to give them security from the back; they are great players, and this way they focus only on attacking. I try to help them when they need me, that's my job. And thank God, we have been scoring three goals in every match during this World Cup.'

He spoke about his physical condition, saying: 'I still feel pain in my hand every day. I avoided surgery because I knew the pain would be very severe. All the doctors I consulted told me I needed surgery, otherwise I wouldn't be able to play. Throughout the group stage, I couldn't train with the team, and that affected me because I love training. But since the match against Egypt, I have returned to training normally, and I feel much better now.'

On being a role model for children, he said: 'It's wonderful to see so many children who want to become goalkeepers. But I always tell parents that I would rather their children become forwards before being goalkeepers, because this position is very difficult. I advise them to work hard, and I hope they see me as an example of sacrifice and overcoming difficulties.'

He also spoke about how he would feel if he were a fan of the Argentine national team, saying: 'I would cry in the same way I cried while in goal. I cried when I was young, and I remember when Jens Lehmann saved the second penalty, I cried at home. I have always been a lover of the Argentine national team. When I moved to England, my constant goal was to become Argentina's goalkeeper. I played with the youth teams, and when I reached the senior team, it wasn't new to me.'

He concluded his talk about the legacy of this generation, saying: 'I don't know how people will remember us, but we know how to define ourselves. We are Argentinians, we speak on the pitch, not off it. All the players in the national team come from humble families, from homes where fathers and mothers work hard. We have a great bond within the group, and we have grown year after year. I want people to remember us as they remember any Argentine: we are hardworking, and no matter what difficulties we face, we keep moving forward.'