Emiliano Martinez auctions off his World Cup final gloves to raise money for children with cancer

Emiliano Martinez has auctioned off the gloves he wore in last winter's World Cup final to raise over $45,000 [£37,000] for children with cancer.

The 30-year-old Argentina goalkeeper played an integral role in La Albiceleste's win against France, making a crucial last-minute save to stop Kolo Muani.

He went on to stop Kingsley Coman's penalty during a tense shoot-out, where he used a series of mind games to try and drain the opposition of confidence.

And it worked. Lionel Scaloni's side lifted the World Cup trophy, with Martinez being named Golden Glove winner after an impressive tournament in Qatar.

Three months on from the tournament and Martinez has raised thousands for the oncology ward at the Garrahan Hospital in Buenos Aires after auctioning off his World Cup final gloves.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper explained his decision to auction off the gloves, saying: "When they gave me the option to donate the World Cup gloves, I didn't hesitate. it's a good cause for the boys.

He also autographed the inside of the gloves when announcing the donation in February.

Martinez added: “The World Cup finals are not played every day, [the gloves] are special. But it helps a child much more than me having them hanging in a frame in my house."

The Argentine Pediatric Foundation said on Instagram: "$45,000 for the Dibu gloves to help the Garrahan boys!"

Emiliano Martinez has auctioned off the gloves he wore in the World Cup final to raise over €40,000 for children with cancer.

🗣 "It's much more important to help a child than to have my gloves stored in a box at home."

A touch of class 🇦🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/N2SyBoOzgV

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) March 14, 2023

Earlier this month, Martinez opened up on what he said to Kylian Mbappe after France suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the final.

"I told him to get up and to look forward," Martinez told TyC Sports, "[that] he shouldn't be on the floor, but proud of the game he had played, which is the truth.

"He scored four goals on me. The one who should be on the floor is me."