Emiliano Martinez has brutally mocked France attacker Kylian Mbappe with a toy baby as Argentina continue to celebrate their World Cup victory.
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Mbappe and Lionel Messi stole the show in Sunday’s epic final at the Lusail Stadium, but Martinez was the hero for Argentina when the scores were level at 3-3 after extra-time.
The Aston Villa keeper, who starred in the shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarter-final, produced another masterclass as Argentina edged out the defending world champions in dramatic fashion.
Martinez made even more headlines after the game, the 30-year-old celebrated his Golden Glove award win with a lewd gesture in front of Qatari officials before he took aim at Mbappe in Argentina’s dressing room celebrations.
A clip showed La Albiceleste’s shootout hero asking for “a minute of silence” for Mbappe – less than an hour after he had consoled the PSG star, who netted a hat-trick in the final, on the pitch.
And eagle-eyed supporters watching Argentina’s open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires saw Martinez, who was topless and stood next to Messi, holding a toy baby which was complete with a nappy and a picture of Mbappe’s face on its head.
The Argentina ace’s swipe at Mbappe could make things awkward for Messi. He and Mbappe were on opposing sides in the World Cup, but Argentina’s talisman is set to reunite with the Frenchman at PSG next month when the French domestic campaign resumes.
Martinez’s act comes just over 24 hours after the goalkeeper explained that he thrust his Golden Glove award to his groin because he was jeered by French fans. He told La Red radio: “I did it because the French booed me. Pride does not work with me.”
Martinez had the last laugh after Coman and Tchouameni succumbed to his mind games during the penalty shootout. Coman’s effort was smothered before Tchouameni missed his penalty after Martinez had delayed his spot-kick.
ITV pundit Roy Keane condemned Martinez’ actions during the penalty shootout and insisted that nobody wanted to see that type of behaviour from the Aston Villa shot-stopper.
