LIONEL MESSI thinks former Arsenal stopper Emi Martinez is ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’.
It came after the Aston Villa man helped Argentina beat Uruguay 3-0 in Monday’s World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.
Martinez, 29, only made his Argentina debut in June and has kept six clean sheets in his 11 appearances since.
He played all but one of his country’s matches as they won this year’s Copa America and Messi says that was when he cemented himself as their new No 1.
The Paris Saint-Germain wizard told TNT Sports: “Dibu [Emiliano] Martinez is fundamental.
“When they come to him, he always responds.
“The truth is he established himself after the Copa America.
“We have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, without a doubt. We take advantage of it.”
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Messi opened the scoring – with a bizarre goal – at River Plate’s Monumental stadium before Rodrigo de Paul and Lauturo Martinez made it 3-0 by 62 minutes.
They sit second in the South American World Cup qualifying table – six points behind first-placed Brazil and six ahead of Ecuador in third.
Villa signed Martinez from Arsenal for £20million last September.
He signed a long-term contract believed to be worth around £60,000-a-week after Mikel Arteta made it clear Bernd Leno was going to be the Gunners‘ No 1 ahead of him.
Despite suggestions the move was a backward step, Martinez strongly disagrees.
He said: “They were all saying it was a step down in my career, but I always said it was a step up.
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
“When I decided to come to Villa it was because I trusted the manager and the club’s ambitions, and I knew how big Villa are.
“Some people do not realise how big Aston Villa are. I said on day one my ambition is to be in Europe with Aston Villa.
“I want to take this club as high as possible and we are on the right path. Can it be done this season? Yes. But we have to work for it.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
