Emiliano Martinez, here is a name that the French will not soon forget and which will haunt many of them for many years. On December 18, the 30-year-old goalkeeper turned into a real hero for Argentina. The Aston Villa goalkeeper disgusted the French team, first against Randal Kolo Muani and then during the penalty shootout, to allow the Albiceleste to triumph over the Blues in the 2022 World Cup final On the heels of his sporting prowess, Martinez has long been talked about during Argentine celebrations and festivities.
From his obscene gesture with the World Cup best goalkeeper trophy to repeated spades aimed at Kylian Mbappé and statements targeting Aurélien Tchouameni, Emiliano Martinez did everything to make himself hated by the French. If, in the meantime, the PSG striker had responded to the former Arsenal goal in a surprising way, the Argentinian returned at length to these events in an interview with France Football, explaining that today he would do things differently. ” I didn’t intend to hurt anyone. Throughout my career, I have evolved with French people and I have never had the slightest problem (…) You can ask Giroud what kind of person I am. I really like French culture and mentality “, released the one nicknamed the Dibu Martinez, as if to recognize that he had perhaps crossed the limits.
Martinez did not want to hit Mbappé and the French
And Martinez, who at the time explained his gesture in response to boos from French fans at Lusail Stadium because ” arrogance does not work with him, to continue. ” The gesture I made with the best goalkeeper trophy was a joke with my teammates. I had already done it at the Copa América, and they all said to me: “No way” to do it again. Even Leo (Messi). I did it for them, nothing more. It lasted a second and that’s it. Then, the locker room thing, it’s a locker room thing and it should never have come out. When France beat us in 2018, I remember there were chants about Messi (involving Kanté). Same, if a team beats Brazil, they will sing about Neymar. There is nothing personal against Mbappé. I respect him enormously. If we sing about him or Neymar, it’s because they’re cracks. »
A way to reconcile with Kylian Mbappé, if there was a need to do so. To definitively put an end to the many controversies surrounding the two men, the native of Mar del Plata even made very complimentary remarks with regard to the number 7 of PSG. ” After the final, I told him that it was a pleasure to play against him and that he very nearly won this match on his own (…) I had confirmation that he had immense talent. When Messi stops, I’m sure Kylian will win many Ballon d’Ors. “A kind of mea-culpa from Emi Martinez sufficient to calm tensions with the French?
Martinez : “How could I make fun of Mbappé?”
The future will tell but the Argentinian hero also knows how to make fun of himself. He indicates that all the celebrations came in a moment of euphoria and did not wish to hurt anyone. Moreover, he believes that if there is one player on the field during the final who can mock the others, it is the triple scorer (plus his shot on goal). “How could I make fun of Mbappé?argues Martinez facing his executioner. “He gave me four goals in the final… He must think I’m his doll! I have a lot of respect for him, he is the best French player I have seen. Almost two months after the final, things relaxed.
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