by The gloves worn by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez in the penalty shootout against France in the World Cup final in Qatar last year were auctioned Friday for $45,000 to help a children’s cancer hospital.
“$45,000 for the Dibu gloves to help the Garrahan boys!” said the Argentine Pediatric Foundation on Instagram, referring to the oncology ward at Hospital Garrahan, Argentina’s main pediatric hospital.
The auction was held online on Friday and featured Martinez via video link from his home in England, where he plays for Aston Villa.
The gloves were worn by Martínez when he faced a penalty shootout against France in the Qatar final, with Argentina winning 4-2, awarding the championship to Lionel Messi’s team after drawing the game 3-3 after extra time.
“When they gave me the option of donating the World Cup gloves, I didn’t hesitate, it’s a good cause for the boys,” said the goalkeeper during the ceremony.
Martinez had autographed the inside of the gloves when she announced the donation in February.
“The World Cup final is not played every day, (the gloves) are special. But it helps a child much more than it does me to have them hang in a frame in my house,” she said.
ls/nn/cl/jh/tjj
