Argentina Goalkeeper Martínez Delayed Surgery for World Cup and Suffered Permanent Damage: 'I Cried Every Night'

 "I cried every night until midnight because my finger looked like a black pudding," Martínez admitted in an interview with Argentine journalist Gastón Edul. Undergoing surgery, he explained, would have ruled him out of the World Cup.

He is reminded of the toll the injury took every time he looks at his finger, which he can no longer bend completely. "These are the risks you take for the national team. I would do it all over again," he said. Argentina reached the World Cup final, where they suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain, with Martínez playing every single minute of the tournament.

He is currently sidelined with another injury. After lifting the Europa League trophy with Aston Villa last season, he completed a transfer to Chelsea. Two weeks ago, on October 17, he suffered a heavy collision with defender Jarrad Branthwaite during a 2-0 league win over Everton and had to be stretchered off.

Martínez sustained a fractured jaw in the collision and subsequently underwent successful surgery.