‘Making a fool of myself… I just can’t do that’: Hugo Lloris slams Emiliano Martinez and says he ‘crossed the line’ with his World Cup penalty shootout antics that led to Argentina beating France in the final
- Emiliano Martinez helped Argentina beat France in the final of the World Cup
- The Aston Villa keeper was seen putting off French players during the shootout
- Hugo Lloris on the other hand failed to make a save as France suffered defeat
- The Tottenham keeper has hit out at Martinez for ‘making a fool’ of himself
Hugo Lloris has accused Emiliano Martinez of ‘making a fool’ out of himself during Argentina’s World Cup final victory over France.
Martinez has made himself an unpopular figure in France for his antics during the penalty shootout, as well as his celebrations and goading in the aftermath of the match.
Lloris, who struggled to make his mark during the shootout, unlike Martinez, has slammed the Aston Villa keeper after announcing his retirement from football.
Hugo Lloris has criticised Emiliano Martinez for his antics during the World Cup final in Qatar
Martinez managed to put off two of France’s spot-kick takers to help Argentina win the final
Hugo Lloris has described the Aston Villa keeper as a ‘fool’ and says he ‘crossed the line’
He told L’Equipe, as per Get France Football News: ‘There are some things I can’t do.
‘Making a fool of myself in goal, rattling my opponent and crossing the line. I just can’t do that.
‘I’m too rational and honest a man to go that way. I don’t know how to win like that, although I didn’t really want to lose like that either.’
Martinez was seen trying to get into the minds of French players during the penalty shootout, and even threw the ball away from Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni before he missed his spot-kick.
While Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman failed to score for France, Lloris failed to save any of Argentina’s spot-kicks on the night.
Martinez was seen throwing the ball away before Aurelien Tchouameni missed his penalty
Martinez, later in the shootout, would be handed a yellow card for his shootout antics
The Aston Villa keeper brutally mocked Mbappe during Argentina’s dressing room celebrations by calling for a minute’s silence for the French striker.
It came even though the 30-year-old was seen as one of the first people to console Mbappe following France’s gut wrenching defeat.
Martinez continued to taunt Mbappe on his birthday by holding a baby doll with the French star’s face on it during Argentina’s World Cup victory parade around Buenos Aires.
Martinez was also seen making a lewd gesture with the Golden Glove award when presented it after the World Cup final.
His antics were even addressed by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery who said he would ‘hold talks’ with the keeper before his return to action from the World Cup.
Martinez was also criticised for his celebrations which included holding a doll with Kylian Mbappe’s face on it
Martinez also made a lewd gesture with the Golden Glove award after Argentina’s victory
When asked about Martinez’s celebrations, Lloris decided not to address them as he said: ‘He has been judged enough for that, no need to add anything more. During the shoot-out, he used every trick in the books to destabilise us.’
Lloris , who won a record 145 caps and captained the side a record 122 times, announced his retirement after the heartbreak of losing the World Cup final against Argentina in Qatar last year as France failed to retain their 2018 title.
He said: ‘There comes a time when you have to know how to hand over the reins. I have always said over and over again that the French team doesn’t belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that’s the case, me first.’
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