As he smiled for photos with his wife, Amanda, and their children, Emiliano Martinez’s eyes reddened.
He took pictures, maybe captured souvenirs, in front of supporters following Aston Villa’s final home match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur.
The goalkeeper smiled and in a typical Martinez manner, bathed in the adulation of a fanbase who adore him. His presence, since signing from Arsenal nearly five years ago, has helped spearhead Villa’s transformation with his high-level performances and magnetism.
To many supporters, he is a symbol of belief, even after the hardship of playing in the lower leagues and routinely being written off throughout his career. As former Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said — something echoed by sources close to the dressing room, speaking on condition of anonymity — Martinez has “insecurity disguised as arrogance”.
The sight of Martinez at full time provoked concern. The 32-year-old was in tears, wiping away at his eyes with his gloves on before appearing to wave goodbye.
This was a realisation that this would likely be his final bow at Villa Park, his last time in front of a crowd who revelled in his showmanship and goalkeeping excellence. It would not be surprising if he was in a similar state at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“We are…
