Scaloni Backs Argentina’s Backup Goalkeepers After Emiliano Martínez Finger Injury

Lionel Scaloni has moved to reassure Argentina supporters about the national team’s goalkeeping options after first-choice keeper Emiliano Martínez suffered a broken finger. The injury — which Martínez admitted he played through during the Europa League final — has prompted Argentina’s staff to monitor his recovery with the 2026 World Cup less than three weeks away. Martínez is expected to miss Argentina’s June friendlies as he recovers.

Why it matters

Argentina enter the World Cup as reigning champions and will want Martínez available and fully fit for the tournament. With the final 26-man roster not yet confirmed, any doubt over the starting goalkeeper raises selection and preparation questions ahead of warm-up matches against Honduras (June 6) and Iceland (June 9) and the June 16 World Cup opener against Algeria.

Scaloni’s message and the goalkeeper pool

Scaloni told DSports he hopes Martínez recovers quickly and described the injured Aston Villa keeper as “incredibly important to this group.” At the same time, he publicly expressed confidence in the squad’s backup options, stressing trust in players already named in Argentina’s broader provisional selection.

Argentina’s preliminary 55-man list submitted to FIFA included Emiliano Martínez plus a group of other goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez, Facundo Cambeses and youngster Santiago Beltrán. Only three keepers will be named to the final World Cup squad.

Injury timeline and impact on June friendlies

Renowned Argentine reporter Gastón Edul reported that Martínez’s finger fracture will not require surgery but carries a recovery period of roughly 20 days. Based on that timeline, Martínez was left out of Aston Villa’s final Premier League match and is likely to be rested for Argentina’s June international window to ensure he is fit for the World Cup.

Santiago Beltrán is one of six players confirmed to be part of Argentina’s expanded 30-plus squad for the warm-up fixtures in the United States; the reports say he could feature as either third-choice or as a training sparring partner alongside the veterans.

Key points

Context and World Cup schedule

Argentina will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign in Group J, opening against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City before playing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, with remaining group fixtures staged at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

What happens next

Medical staff will continue to monitor Martínez’s recovery in the coming days. Argentina’s coaching team must decide on whether to include Martínez in the final squad when it is announced and which three goalkeepers make the trip to North America. The immediate practical consequence is Martínez’s expected absence from the June friendlies, giving an opportunity for backup keepers to work with the squad ahead of the World Cup.