Danny Murphy has slammed how Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez celebrated Argentina winning the World Cup. He also feels the goalkeeper could regret taunting Kylian Mbappe.
Martinez was one of the star players behind La Albiceleste sealing their first FIFA title since 1986 at Qatar 2022. He produced an array of vital saves throughout the tournament and in the final. The 30-year-old also twice stood firm to see Argentina win in penalty shootouts.
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Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis both failed to beat Martinez as the Netherlands lost to Argentina in the quarter-finals. Kingsley Coman would also fail to beat the 26-cap stopper before Aurelian Tchouameni sent his spot-kick wide of the post as France lost in the final.
Martinez produced eccentric antics to try and distract France’s penalty-takers before they shot from 12 yards. His actions appeared to pay off when Tchouameni drilled wide of the post. And the Mar del Plata native did not let off with his celebrations straight after, either.
His celebrations continued after Argentina flew home to Buenos Aires to rejoice with their fans, as well. But Martinez caused a storm by mocking Mbappe with a doll with the France forward’s face on it. It was not the first time that the goalkeeper taunted the attacker, too.
Martinez called for a minute’s silence in Mbappe’s honour in the Argentina dressing room after the World Cup final. The forward had scored a hat-trick in the FIFA showpiece match to force it to a penalty shootout. He also beat the goalkeeper with France’s first penalty.
Murphy slams Martinez for Argentina star’s celebrations mocking Mbappe
Murphy has taken aim at Martinez for the Aston Villa star’s celebrations mocking Mbappe after Argentina won the World Cup. He also feels the goalkeeper could come to regret his behaviour if the 30-year-old plays against the France and Paris Saint-Germain star again.
“I think it is important to win with some class and dignity,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “I’ve got no problem with what he did on the penalties… No. I’ve got a problem with what he did with the Golden Glove and the silly thing about Mbappe.
“I’m surprised that some of the things weren’t nipped in the bud more quickly by his teammates… Martinez was superb. He had a brilliant tournament and his save late in extra time will go down as one of the greatest saves in history.
“You’ve got a few years ahead of you in the international game and in the club game when he could face Mbappe [again]. It could come around and bite you.”
The save Murphy referred to was Martinez’s brilliant charge off of his line to deny Randal Kolo Muani. Didier Deschamps almost saw the substitute score in the 124th minute as Les Bleus broke four on two. But Martinez made himself big to get his body behind the effort.
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