Argentina defeated France 4-2 in the penalties of the high-octane FIFA World Cup 2022 final at the Tusail Stadium. The Lionel Messi-led La Albiceleste ended the Argentina FIFA World Cup trophy drought of 36 years as they etched their name in the history books. Argentina custodian Emiliano Martinez played a crucial role in them winning the World Cup. He also bagged the Golden Glove award for his sensational goalkeeping.
However, he has been facing flak for his obscene gesture on the podium after winning the Golden Glove award. He has also now been facing a lot of criticism for mocking French superstar and FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot winner, Kyliam Mbappe. Martinez was holding a toy with a face mask of Kylian Mbappe in the victory parade of Argentina in Buenos Aires.
The picture of him holding the toy with the 24-year-old Frenchman’s face was floating on a lot of social media channels. The French and many football lovers did not like this gesture at all. Now according to a report, the President of the French Football Association Noel Le Graet has formally lodged a complaint to the Argentina Football Association over Emiliano Martinez’s mockery.
“I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation, I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand,” said Le Graetas quoted by Ouest-France. “This is going too far. Mbappe’s behavior has been exemplary,” he added.
Emiliano Martinez was in red-hot form in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final. In the dying minutes of extra-time, the Aston Villa goalkeeper saved Randal Kolo Muani’s easy goal-scoring opportunity. He also saved Kingsley Coman’s goal during the intense penalty shoot-out. Needless to say, he was pivotal to Argentina lifting the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. This was Argentina’s third title, with the last one coming way back in 1986.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: From Golden Boot To Golden Glove, Complete List Of Award Winners
