Emiliano Martinez has been in and around controversy since winning the World Cup with Argentina. What followed La Albiceleste’s win against France was the celebration with a hint of mockery. A few months ago, Kylian Mbappe, the World Cup final hat-trick hero, made some comments about the development of soccer in South America.
While the comment made by the PSG forward was responded to by senior South American soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Fabinho, it seems that Emi Martinez had taken Mbappe’s words way too seriously, and took it upon himself to ensure that the Frenchman would regret it going forward.
Mbappe speaks on the difference between South American and European football 👀 pic.twitter.com/BGbQZ6MLHx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 24, 2022
No sooner had Argentina won the World Cup final than Martinez’s taunts, aimed solely at Mbappe had begun.
What did Emiliano Martinez do to Kylian Mbappe after 2022 World Cup win?
During the award ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Final, Emiliano Martinez made a controversial gesture. As the Aston Villa goalkeeper was called to receive the Golden Glove award, he received the trophy, placed it on his crotch, and made a thrusting action. This action did not go down well as fans on Twitter were quick to brand Martinez as “classless”, “disrespectful”, and “vulgar”.
Emiliano Martínez makes vulgar gesture with Golden Glove trophy after World Cup win https://t.co/yHwF3LPAIt pic.twitter.com/btBiTNAVN8
— New York Post (@nypost) December 18, 2022
This was, however, only the beginning as another controversial statement made by Argentina’s number 23 emerged after a dressing room video of Argentina’s squad celebrating surfaced on social media. The Argentine players were happily singing and dancing when Martinez put a halt to the celebrations to call for a “minute of silence for Mbappe.”
“A minute of silence for … Mbappe!” 😅
Emiliano Martinez during Argentina’s dressing room celebration.
(via nicolasotamendi30/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/dwm3IrUNWG
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022
And in the latest attempt to taunt Kylian Mbappe, the goalkeeper has yet again managed to make controversial headlines. Millions of fans greeted the Argentina soccer team that returned home after their World Cup triumph. What followed was a traditional bus parade. In this parade, the Argentinian players were sitting on the top of an open-roof bus while the fans rallied around it.
A video emerged shortly after the event where Martinez could be seen holding up a baby-sized doll that had Mbappe’s face printed out and pasted on it. The goalkeeper along with other Argentinian players was seen laughing at the doll in the video.
⚽️ Emiliano Martinez held a doll with Kylian Mbappe’s face on it during Argentina’s World Cup victory homecoming parade in his latest provocative act.
Read more here ⬇️
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 21, 2022
Soccer fans all around the globe have been calling out Martinez’s actions. The Argentine goalkeeper seems to have taken the feud to another level. No other Argentine player has been so motivated to taunt Mbappe. Martinez, on the other hand, seems like he is just getting started. The Villa goalkeeper has been a menace for Kylian Mbappe ever since Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final.
Fans react as France takes action against Emi Martinez
Kylian Mbappe has handled the situation well by not responding in kind. Instead, after having celebrated his 24th birthday post the World Cup, the Frenchman is reportedly 7 days early for training at PSG. The young gun is ready to put the defeat behind him and focus on what’s to come.
In the meantime, The French Football Federation (FFF), has reportedly lodged an official complaint against Emi Martinez’s relentless taunting. What form of punishment has been demanded by the FFF is uncertain. Fans, on the other hand, have mixed reactions.
Some are supporting the FFF’s decision while others don’t see eye to eye.
Big fine and half a season ban from football for Martinez is needed
— Gareth Mason (@GarethM02428041) December 23, 2022
Why is Messi letting Martinez mock & humiliate Mbappe like this? They’re teammates at PSG, just so weird & graceless. pic.twitter.com/btx0KDbs2J
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 21, 2022
Tbf when they’re also burning effigies of Mbappe in the streets, I think it’s safe to say a line has been crossed.
— Shrewdinho (@ChrisTheShrew) December 23, 2022
One fan on Twitter feels that the Villa shot-stopper should be handed a fine and a temporary ban from playing professional soccer.
Renowned British journalist Piers Morgan also raised his voice against Martinez’s actions. He wanted to know why Lionel Messi, who is teammates with Mbappe at PSG, allowed his compatriot to mock and humiliate Mbappe relentlessly.
Other fans have also come out on social media to declare the incident the equivalent of ‘crossing a line.’
When Mbappe insulted South American teams
Who fined him— Owoponmo (@owoponmo) December 23, 2022
There has been a lot of disrespect going back and forth. Mbappe said to the Press earlier this year that football in South America is “not as advanced as in Europe.” Hence, the South Americans are giving it back to the Frenchman.
— Magril (@Magril2) December 23, 2022
While most fans have spoken against Martinez’s actions, some support and defend him. A section of the fanbase feels Mbappe, too, crossed a line when he made the initial comments.
Whether the 30-year-old goalkeeper will be penalized or not is yet to be observed.