Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has revealed that a serious finger injury sustained in May 2026 has left him with permanent damage, admitting that his right hand may never fully recover its normal function.

According to a report by ESPN on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Argentina international opened up about the condition of his hand during an interview, demonstrating his difficulty in closing it completely into a fist because one of his fingers 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 managed to feature in the final, although subsequent medical examinations confirmed that he had fractured his ring finger.

The injury initially raised concerns about his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. However, the goalkeeper decided against undergoing immediate surgery because the recovery period would have prevented him from participating in the tournament.

With assistance from Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and the national team's medical personnel, Martínez continued playing while wearing protective equipment. Sportswear manufacturer Adidas also 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 achieving a complete recovery. He disclosed that he still experiences pain and cannot properly close his right hand.

Although he acknowledged that an operation would eventually become necessary, Martínez admitted that the damage might prevent his finger from returning to its original condition.

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

Meanwhile, Martínez revealed that the condition also 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.