Since the turn of the century, many goalkeepers have graced the international stage, but few have had the impact of Emiliano Martínez in such a short period. According to Transfermarkt, Martínez holds the record for the most clean sheets in the first 50 international matches since 2000, boasting an incredible 36 shutouts for Argentina.
Martínez made his international debut in 2021, a relatively late start for a goalkeeper of his caliber, who couldn’t make it to the Arsenal’s starting 11 for years. However, he quickly established himself as Argentina’s undisputed No. 1, playing a pivotal role in their recent triumphs.
His performances in the Copa América 2021 and 2024 were exceptional , and his heroics in the 2022 FIFA World Cup have cemented his reputation as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. In his 5 years with the Argentina national team, he was defeated only 4 times, that’s as much as the number of trophies he has won with Argentina.
Martínez leads a list of elite goalkeepers who have made impressive starts to their international careers:
Alisson Becker (Brazil, 34 clean sheets) – A vital part of Brazil’s Copa América 2019-winning team, Alisson has been a model of consistency.
Yassine Bounou (Morocco, 33 clean sheets) – The Sevilla shot-stopper played a key role in Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run, becoming the first African goalkeeper to reach that stage.
Ebrahim Mirzapour (Iran, 32 clean sheets) – A dependable figure in Iranian football, Mirzapour was crucial in their 2002 Asian Games victory.
Ali Beiranvand (Iran, 31 clean sheets) – Famous for his penalty save against Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Beiranvand continues to shine for Iran.
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria, 29 clean sheets) – A legendary goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, Enyeama was a key part of Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON-winning team.
Martínez’s record-breaking start to his Argentina career places him in elite company. With his relentless determination and shot-stopping ability, he is set to remain a key figure in Argentina’s pursuit of more silverware.
