Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez was once again a key figure in goal for Aston Villa during the 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, a crucial result in the Birmingham club’s race for a spot in the next Champions League. However, it wasn’t his performance that grabbed all the attention—it was his emotional farewell after the match.

The Argentine goalkeeper left Villa Park visibly emotional, waving goodbye to the fans with tears in his eyes and blowing kisses in a gesture that sparked numerous questions about his future at the club. Despite having a contract until 2029, the scene raised alarms and fueled speculation about a possible departure.

Dibu Martínez says goodbye in tears

The moment did not go unnoticed by the English media. Both Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp, commentators on Sky Sports, agreed that it looked like a farewell. “It’ll be a big loss for them,” said Keane. Redknapp was more direct: “That was definitely a goodbye.”

Several European and international outlets have reported that Martínez has been contacted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, though there are also concrete offers from European teams. According to journalist Gastón Edul, the World Cup winner is evaluating several options and could leave in the upcoming transfer window. “He won’t choose Saudi Arabia for sporting reasons. If Aston Villa misses out on the Champions League, they’ll have to sell him,” he said.

The goalkeeper himself has avoided commenting directly on his future, but shared a message on Instagram: “Thanks for all your support this season. We finished strong at home, but we still have one more final to go.” His partner, Mandinha Martínez, also added an emotional touch with a post: “So proud of you, my love.”

Since arriving in 2020, Dibu has become an iconic figure for the club. He has played 211 matches, kept 69 clean sheets, and was instrumental in several campaigns. His best season was 2020/21, in which he registered 15 shutouts in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, outlets like Marca and Mundo Deportivo have linked Espanyol’s young goalkeeper Joan García as a potential replacement. However, Aston Villa faces tough competition, as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester United are also tracking the Spanish talent.

For now, Dibu Martínez’s future remains uncertain. The only sure thing is that his tearful goodbye has left a lasting mark on Aston Villa fans.