Why Emiliano Martinez won’t play for Argentina against Bolivia

Gerónimo Rulli will be between the posts for reigning FIFA World Cup champions and Copa America winners Argentina against Bolivia this evening – and not the usual starter Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez.

That’s because Martínez is suspended for the second game in a row as part of a two-game ban imposed at the end of September. The Aston Villa goalkeeper was banned from Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October for “violating the principles of fair play” during the September international break.

After Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile on September 5, Martínez made a suggestive gesture with a replica of the Copa América trophy, as he did in the moments after the 2022 World Cup final victory against France.

The 32-year-old was also in the spotlight after Argentina’s next game on September 10, a 2-1 loss to Colombia, where Martínez pushed away a camera in frustration at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia.

La Albiceleste were unable to get past Venezuela without Martínez in net, as Rulli conceded a header from José Salomón Rondón in a 1-1 draw in poor playing conditions. Rulli is expected to make only his sixth appearance for Argentina and the former Ajax goalkeeper will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against a Bolivian side that does not have the same attacking power as Venezuela.

Argentina will be hoping to get back to winning ways and end their two-game winning streak to stay at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification table and ahead of Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil. Martínez will be available to his national team for Argentina’s games against Paraguay and Peru from November.