Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played through the pain of a broken finger during the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday, securing a triumphant 3-0 victory in Istanbul. The injury occurred just moments before kick-off, prompting a quick assessment from a physio.

Despite the setback, Martinez showcased his resilience by completing the match and contributing with two crucial saves. The goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia, and Morgan Rogers marked Villa's first European trophy in 44 years, ending a long wait for a major title.

In his post-match comments, Martinez reflected on his experience, stating:

Today I broke my finger during the warm-up and for me, every bad thing brings something good. I've done this my whole life and I'll keep doing it.

He expressed pride in defending Aston Villa, emphasizing his commitment despite the injury:

Should I be worried? Well, I've never had a broken finger before. Every time I caught the ball, it went the other way. But these are things you have to go through.

Following the victory, Martinez joined the jubilant Villa fans in celebrations, hoisting manager Unai Emery into the air. As Argentina prepares for next month's World Cup, there are concerns about the severity of his injury, with the squad announcement approaching.