Since their victory in the World Cup, Argentine players and supporters have not stopped attacking Mbappé. They didn’t target him by chance.
Chambering is part of the sport. But in Argentina, for 48 hours, sport has been part of the chamber. Since their coronation at the World Cup, after a spectacular final against France (3-3, 4-2 on penalties), the Argentine players have multiplied the mockery of Kylian Mbappé. “A minute of silence for the death of Mbappé“, demanded, hilarious, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the locker room.
Since the return of Abiceleste to Buenos Aires, on the night of Monday to Tuesday, the spicy tackles against the French striker have accelerated. Supporters burned a cardboard representing a coffin with a photo of Mbappé on it. Martinez, again, was seen wearing a doll wearing a N.10 Blues mask.
Mbappé, the star not a fan of South America
But why is Mbappé (24) so targeted by the Argentine people? Why him and not someone else? Several reasons for this. First, chambering, which may seem excessive to some, is deeply rooted in Argentine culture. Then there is the fact that Mbappé is the star of the France team. Ransom of glory. Moreover, the PSG striker is brimming with self-confidence. At the risk of appearing arrogant, and therefore annoying.
To this must be added Mbappé’s comments on South American football last May, which came back to him like a boomerang. “Football is not as advanced as in Europe“, he had estimated at the microphone of TNT Sports, aiming at the lack of homogeneity in the level of the selections compared to those of the Old Continent. “He doesn’t know football enough. He never played in South America. When you don’t have that experience, maybe it’s better not to talk about it“, vituperated Martinez on the eve of the World Cup final. Without resentment.
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Argentinian supporters are prone to racism
From now on, the Argentines are proud. Especially Martinez, who nevertheless conceded three goals from Mbappé in the final, not to mention his successful shot on goal during the fateful session. Upset, the guard? What is certain is that he never sought to calm Argentinian animosity towards Mbappé, which turned into a skid before, during and after the World Cup.
On BFM TV, Argentinian fans in Buenos Aires shouted “I think» or «Mbappé, the shell of your mother“. We pass the translation to you. “racial slurs“Were also chanted, according to the journalist on the spot of BFM. No wonder: Argentines had already been filmed by local TV, even before the World Cup, singing a racist song. “They play in France but all come from Angola. They like transvestites like this put… Mbappé. His mother is Nigerian, his father is Cameroonian, but on the document: nationality: “French”.»
Nauseous acts to which the Argentine players have never reacted. Even if the latter were able to show a little more respect for Mbappé just after the final. Emiliano Martinez had notably consoled the Frenchman, sitting and devastated on the lawn after the defeat. Lionel Messi, his teammate at PSG, briefly hugged him and exchanged a few words with him before stepping onto the podium. It remains to be seen whether their relationship will be marked by these last turbulent days.
On the video that has gone viral of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with the doll bearing the image of Mbappé, we see Lionel Messi, yet right next to him, not reacting. Could this upset the relationship between the two teammates at PSG? The Argentine newspaper Olé tried to calm the situation by claiming that the best player in the World Cup had not even noticed this famous doll in the arms of his partner…
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