Emiliano Martinez celebrates after saving a penalty kick in the World Cup final
Patrick Vieira, a former player of the France national football team who won the World Cup in 1998, confirmed that the celebrations of Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, were “inconsiderate”, and underestimated the victory that Argentina had achieved in the 2022 World Cup.
Martinez starred in his side’s penalty win over France in the final but was criticized for some of his behaviour, including an unacceptable move after receiving the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper of the tournament.
He has also repeatedly teased French striker Kylian Mbappé.
“Some of the photos I’ve seen of the Argentine goalkeeper, I think detract from what Argentina has achieved in the World Cup,” said Crystal Palace team manager Vieira.
“I don’t think they really needed it,” he added.
He concluded, “Sometimes you can’t control people’s emotional decisions. But I think it was an ill-advised decision on Martinez’s part to do so.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery also said he would like to speak to Martinez, a professional at the club, about his way of celebrating the win.
Argentina had defeated France in the World Cup final in Qatar, 4-2, on penalties, after the end of the match’s opening and extra time, with three goals apiece.
In the dressing room after the game, Martinez invited his team-mates to observe a minute’s silence for Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick for France in the final. He then participated in further taunts of Mbappe during the Argentine team’s victory parade held in the capital, Buenos Aires, by holding up a doll representing the French striker.
“When your emotions are running high, it’s sometimes difficult to control them,” said Emery, the Aston Villa manager.
He also said: “I will talk to him next week about some of his celebrations, but I respect the fact that he is now under the management of the national team, and when he is with us, he will be under our responsibility and then we can talk to him about it. “
“We are very proud of him – he concluded – He won the World Cup with his team and he is fantastic”.
On Thursday, Noel Le Greet, president of the French Football Federation, told French newspaper Ouest-France that he had sent a message to his Argentine counterpart about the team’s “abnormal” celebrations.
Martinez’s penalty shootout grabbed the headlines after the final, his mind tricks shook the confidence of the French players: Kingsley Coman’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper and Aurelien Chouamini missed.
Martinez has not yet returned to Aston Villa and will not be available for his parents’ match against Liverpool on 26 December, when English Premier League play resumes after being interrupted during the World Cup.
“He’ll be back next week,” Emery said.
He added, “I want him to rest now because after the big emotional event and the stressful job, he should have a few days off to rest and then he’ll come back to work with us.”
