Being a footballer is a dream job for many, and despite being the most popular sport in the world, only a select few get to live it at the highest level. Emiliano Martinez, for one, made it to the top as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. But when asked what he would do if he weren’t, his response was rather humble.
In this day and age of social media, clubs look for as much digital engagement as possible, and a very popular segment includes the admin of their respective handles asking players fun questions. For instance: What would you do if you weren’t a footballer?
Aston Villa, who are currently 8th in the Premier League, did the same in October 2024, and the first person on the list was Martínez, who responded that he would probably be a fishmonger, selling fish for consumption.
A simple and interesting choice from the 32-year-old, perhaps because of his upbringing in Mar del Plata, a city on the Atlantic coast known for fishing.
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Villa fans and the entire nation of Argentina are lucky that Martínez became a successful footballer because, without him in goal, it’s unlikely they would have tasted as much success as they have in recent years.
Aston Villa reached the Champions League for the first time since 1983, and Argentina won the FIFA World Cup thanks to his heroics throughout the tournament.
What other Aston Villa players said
Martínez was the first, but the admin went through nearly the entire squad. Each player gave a unique answer—some sounded like jokes, while others seemed like serious considerations.
John McGinn, for instance, would be a YouTuber and “a lot fatter,” in his words. Star striker Ollie Watkins, on the other hand, chose a humble job like Martínez and admitted he would probably be working at Sainsbury’s, a British supermarket chain.
Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, never thought about what he would do if he weren’t a footballer. The former Leicester City player declared that there wasn’t any alternative from his end—a footballer through and through.
Joe Gauci was the first to give a rather direct and technical answer, insisting that he would be a graphic designer. Probably a long-lost passion for the Aussie goalkeeper.
As for some of the others, Pau Torres would be a teacher, Lucas Digne would want to try his hand at tennis, whereas Leon Bailey would venture into business—likely real estate, as he admitted.
Martinez’s unlikely rise to fame
Today, he is one of the most recognizable stars in world football. But before the COVID lockdown in 2020, Martinez was merely Arsenal‘s long-time backup goalkeeper. Between 2012 and 2020, he was part of the North London club but spent much of that time on loan at six different teams.
In 2020, Bernd Leno was Arsenal’s first-choice keeper. During a match against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, a reckless challenge by Neil Maupay injured the German, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Martinez, who had been warming the bench, stepped in as an emergency replacement and wasted no time showing his true potential. He played a crucial role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph that season and was moved to tears after the final whistle, knowing his perseverance had finally paid off.
Video: An emotional Emiliano Martinez on FaceTime after the full-time whistle. ❤️ #afc pic.twitter.com/uqvapgmQYB
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 1, 2020
Despite his heroics, Martinez was never fully appreciated at Arsenal. Understanding the need for regular game time to grow further, he made the bold decision to leave. Aston Villa came calling, and it was there he became a cornerstone of the team. Fast forward to 2025, and Emi Martinez is now a two-time Goalkeeper of the Year.
