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Dibu Martínez Surprises With a Mate Straw Inspired by His Most Iconic Save
The World Cup–winning goalkeeper turned his legendary Qatar 2022 moment into a unique piece that blends tradition, identity, and football history.
Mate culture once again crossed paths with elite football thanks to Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. The Argentina national team and Aston Villa goalkeeper surprised fans by unveiling a one-of-a-kind mate straw, specially designed to honor one of the most unforgettable plays in modern football history: his decisive save against Randal Kolo Muani in the Qatar 2022 World Cup final.
An Eternal Save Turned Into Art
The custom piece was crafted by Germán Barsi, an artisan from San Salvador in Argentina’s Entre Ríos province. Made using a combination of bronze, alpaca silver, and silver soldering, the straw features a central cut-out that recreates Dibu Martínez’s legendary one-on-one stop against France, a moment that kept Argentina alive and paved the way to lifting the World Cup.
The idea came together almost by chance. According to the artisan, it all started during a video call involving a friend of his and the goalkeeper’s brother. During the conversation, Martínez noticed a two-branch mate straw and asked whether a save could be represented between the two tubes. The answer was yes—and the final result exceeded all expectations.
Mate as a Symbol of Identity in the National Team
Mate plays a central role in the daily lives of Argentine footballers, particularly during training camps, travel, and pre-match routines. Thermoses, gourds, and straws are often customized as an extension of each player’s identity within the group. For Dibu Martínez, the request was clear: the piece had to reflect a moment that defined both his career and the history of Argentina.
The straw features two branches with tubes of different thickness—one measuring 10 millimeters and the other 5—along with a sturdy design intended to be both functional and symbolic. As Barsi explained, the challenge was to create something “useful and beautiful” without losing its emotional meaning.
The artisan’s work didn’t stop there. He also crafted a personalized mate straw for Marcos “Huevo” Acuña, featuring an egg-shaped silhouette between the branches—a nod to the defender’s nickname—using the same materials and handcrafted process.
From Entre Ríos to the World Stage
What began as a custom request quickly gained unexpected attention. The mate straw now accompanies Dibu Martínez during Argentina’s training camps as well as on matchdays with Aston Villa, reinforcing the goalkeeper’s connection to his roots despite playing thousands of miles from home.
