The Aston Villa star has one of soccer’s most low-key love stories, but Amanda “Mandinha” Gama has been beside him through every dramatic moment.
Who is Emiliano Martinez married to? This is the Argentina goalkeeper’s wife, Amanda
Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez may be seen as one of the loudest personalities on the soccer field – remember this – but his relationship with wife Amanda “Mandinha” Gama is noticeably private.
The Argentina goalkeeper and Mandinha have been together since 2013, after meeting in London during Martínez’s Arsenal years. Over the past decade, she has become one of the most important figures in his life as he went from backup to World Cup hero.
Who is Amanda “Mandinha” Gama?
Mandinha, whose full name is Amanda Gama, was born in England to a Portuguese father and Brazilian mother. Over the years she has built her own career away from soccer, running a children’s interior design business called Mi Sueños Kids, which focuses on nursery décor and custom rooms for kids.
From stores in and around London, it has developed to promotion of the brand online and through social media. The couple have always kept a relatively low public profile despite Martínez becoming one of the most recognizable goalkeepers in the sport.
How did Emiliano Martinez meet his wife?
According to friends close to Martínez, the pair first met at a London bus stop while the Argentine was still trying to establish himself at Arsenal. He eventually asked her out, and the relationship quickly became serious.
They married in May 2017 at Brocket Hall, a luxury estate outside London, with several former Arsenal teammates attending the wedding. A year later, they welcomed son Santi, before daughter Ava arrived in 2021.
Did Martinez really meet his daughter through a video call?
One of the most emotional moments in Martínez’s career came during Argentina’s 2021 Copa América run in Brazil.
While away with the national team, the goalkeeper learned that Mandinha had gone into labor in England. Because he was inside Argentina’s tournament bubble ahead of the semifinal against Colombia, he could only meet newborn Ava through a video call.
Just days later, Martínez produced his legendary penalty shootout performance against Colombia before helping Argentina win the tournament.
Which World Cup games will Argentina play in 2026?
Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, Martínez is preparing for another huge tournament with Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Argentina have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Their group-stage schedule is:
- June 16 vs. Algeria
- June 22 vs. Austria
- June 27 vs. Jordan
If recent history is anything to go by, Mandinha will almost certainly be in the stands again watching another round of Dibu Martinez drama unfold.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.