Emi Martinez consoles Kylian Mbappe after France’s World Cup final defeat… but the goalkeeper shows he’s NOT Mr Nice Guy in the Argentina dressing room as he mocks the forward with a ‘moment of silence’ over his claim that Europeans ALWAYS win the trophy
Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez may have shown sportsmanship when he consoled Kylian Mbappe on the pitch, but he did not hold back in mocking the French superstar during his side’s dressing room celebrations.
Martinez made a crucial last-gasp save at the death in extra-time to deny Randal Kolo Muani and later denied Kingsley Coman in the penalty shootout to inspire Argentina to their first World Cup success since 1986.
As Argentine fans inside the Lusail Stadium celebrated jubilantly, Martinez went over to console Mbappe, who netted a superb hat-trick for France before scoring his spot-kick in the shootout.
Emiliano Martinez consoled Kylian Mbappe after Argentina’s World Cup triumph on Sunday
But the goalkeeper ruthlessly mocked Mbappe during Argentina’s dressing room celebrations
Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot and became the first player since England legend Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final, cut a miserable figure as Argentina’s champions were breaking out in celebration.
Despite heading over to Mbappe to console him, Martinez later mocked the 23-year-old in the Argentina dressing room, making fun of his claim that European teams ‘always win’ the World Cup.
Six months before the tournament, the PSG forward said: ‘The advantage we have in Europe is that we play among ourselves with high-level matches all the time, such as the Nations League.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup success since Diego Maradona’s 1986 side
Mbappe, 23, told the media six months ago that European nations ‘always’ win the World Cup
‘When we arrive at the World Cup, we are ready, where Brazil and Argentina do not have this level in South America. Football is not as advanced as in Europe. That’s why at the last World Cups, it’s always the Europeans who win.’
Martinez responded to the claims ahead of the final this week and said: ‘He said that the level of South America is lower than the European level because he did not play there.
‘If you do not have the experience then it is difficult to comment, but nothing was wrong with what he said. They know we are a world class team and they respect us for that.’
During Argentina’s post-match party in the dressing room, Argentina’s players celebrated with a conga and started singing in Spanish: ‘A minute of silence.’
Martinez (C) won the Golden Glove as the French superstar (R) claimed the Golden Boot award
The Argentine goalkeeper crucially saved Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick in the penalty shootout
Martinez broke free of the line and exuberantly chanted: ‘For Mbappe who is dead!’
He then rejoined the conga to the sound of his team-mates laughing and joking.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was booked for unsportsmanlike conduct after he threw the ball away before Aurilien Tchouameni’s crucial penalty miss.
Martinez demonstrated both sides to his game after Argentina’s triumph – he had the professionalism and sportsmanship to console Mbappe after the defeat, but still at his core remains a wind-up merchant who is an expert at unnerving top players.
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