Emiliano Martínez doubts third Lev Yashin Trophy after World Cup final loss

Emiliano Martínez has played down his prospects of claiming a third successive Lev Yashin Trophy after receiving another nomination for the award. The goalkeeper, who completed a move from Aston Villa to Chelsea on 30 August, told Birmingham Live he does not expect to add to the titles he secured in 2023 and 2024.

When asked whether he could complete a hat-trick of wins at next month's ceremony, which takes place on the same evening as the Ballon d'Or, Martínez was blunt. "No chance. Messi, yes. Me, no," he said, referring to the growing support for his Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi to take the main prize.

Martínez became the first goalkeeper to win the award in consecutive years, collecting it initially after Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph and retaining it following their 2024 Copa America success. During that period he also helped Villa reach the Champions League in 2024 and won the Europa League with the club.

His hopes of further international glory were ended earlier this year when Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Reflecting on that defeat, Martínez admitted the result would sting for some time. "It was nice to reach another final. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win it and that will hurt for a long time," he added.

The Argentine's departure from Villa Park came during a busy summer window in which several senior figures left the club. His exit to Chelsea was announced just days before Leon Bailey's move to Olympiacos was confirmed on 2 September.