According to a report by ESPN on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has revealed that a serious finger injury sustained in May 2026 has left him with permanent damage, admitting his right hand may never fully recover its normal function.

The Argentina international opened up about the condition during an interview, demonstrating his difficulty in closing his hand completely into a fist because one finger no longer bends properly.

Martínez suffered the injury while preparing for Aston Villa's Europa League final against Freiburg in May 2026. Despite the problem, he featured in the final, though subsequent medical examinations confirmed he had fractured his ring finger. The injury initially raised concerns about his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, but the goalkeeper decided against immediate surgery because the recovery period would have ruled him out of the tournament.

With help from Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and the national team's medical staff, Martínez continued playing while wearing protective equipment, and Adidas developed a specially designed glove to help him manage the injury during matches.

Reflecting on his decision, the goalkeeper explained that delaying surgery had affected his chances of a complete recovery. He disclosed that he still experiences pain and cannot properly close his right hand, and while he acknowledged an operation would eventually be necessary, he admitted the damage might prevent his finger from returning to its original condition.

The injury also disrupted his World Cup preparations, forcing him to modify certain training activities. Despite the difficulties, Martínez maintained he would make the same decision again because representing Argentina was a major priority.

Meanwhile, he revealed that the condition affected a potential transfer to an Italian club, which reportedly collapsed after medical examinations indicated another fracture. Chelsea eventually secured his services from Aston Villa, with the goalkeeper explaining that the London club accepted his medical situation.

His finger problem is separate from a more recent injury involving his jaw. Martínez reportedly fractured his jaw during Chelsea's encounter with Everton and subsequently required medical attention.