06/22/2026
From Dallas Cup to the World Stage: The Return of Champions
The last time Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez and Gonzalo Montiel played in North Texas, they were promising young talents dreaming of the big stage. Martínez last visited in 2011 as an Arsenal academy goalkeeper, while Montiel captained River Plate’s 2015 Gordon Jago Super Group squad.
As some alumni return to Dallas as domestic League Champions, Copa Libertadores and UEFA Champions League winners as professional players, these 2 Dallas Cup alums returns to Dallas as World Cup Champions with Argentina. Their journey from the youth pitches of Dallas to lifting the ultimate prize in Qatar is a testament to their relentless drive.
Tomorrow, the duo steps back onto the pitch at Dallas Stadium. Argentina will face Austria at 12:00 PM CDT in their second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Fresh off a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opener, the reigning champions are looking to cement their dominance in Group J.
For local fans, it is a full-circle moment watching two former youth standout prospects return as kings of the footballing world. Hopefully, North Texas will see history.