Its almost been a week since Argentina were crowned as the world champions, but Emiliano Martinez is still making the headlines. The shot-stopper has been at the centre of a number of controversies which he fueled after Argentina’s emphatic win over France in the final. Already being slammed for his constant mockery of Kylian Mbappe, Martinez has also come under fire for his absurd celebration with the Golden Glove which he won at the tournament in Qatar.
Argentina swooped in the individual honors as well alongside the World Cup trophies, as Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball for best player, 20-year-old Enzo Fernandez bagged the Young Player of The Tournament and Emiliano Martinez clinched the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper after some scintillating saves throughout the tournament, and some stunning stops against France. But his celebration after winning the honor took everyone present there by surprise, as pro-turned-pundit Graeme Souness has now called out the 30-year-old.
Souness furious with Emiliano Martinez’s ‘crude gesture’ with the award
Emiliano Martinez did deserve the Golden Glove at the World Cup, as even his last minute save against Kolo Muani was more than enough to single-handedly win him the award. Moreover, his scintillating save against Australian in the Round of 16 too was crucial to Argentina’s progression, and his heroics in the penalty shoutout against the Netherlands too proved to be the point of difference.
But the final saw a monster of a Martinez as his ultimate tricks and mind games forced France duo Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni miss their spot-kicks in the shootout which scripted Argentina’s glory. However, as he collected his reward for some brilliant displays between the sticks throughout the tournament, Martinez repeated his obscene celebration from the time when he won the same award at last year’s Copa America. Souness, slamming the veteran ‘keeper in his Daily Mail column wrote:
“Much of the debate post World Cup final has centred on the behaviour of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the penalty shootout. I can accept those antics, to a point. But what we should be talking about more is the crude gesture he made after collecting his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy.
“Do some people really find that sort of thing funny? Martinez embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his country. He looked like a vulgar clown. If that is what he wants to be remembered for, then God help us all. I like him as a goalkeeper, for Argentina and Aston Villa. But for him to think what he did was appropriate, it beggars belief. Why did he not want to be remembered instead for his performance? Or the team’s performance? Or Lionel Messi’s performance?
“I cannot understand why he chose to do that in front of a watching world. He was also on stage with the various dignitaries and the Emir of Qatar. What respect is he showing for his hosts? For himself, even? Maybe he doesn’t care. He should. He will not be so proud in years to come. Sadly, that image is part of the story of the final now.”
Emiliano Martinez has also been called out for his mockery of Mbappe, not once but twice. The FFF [France Football Federation] have even lodged a formal complaint against the ‘keeper for taking it too far with his antics. Meanwhile, Martinez and his Argentine teammates are still engaged in their celebrations in Argentina, as the whole nation is buzzing after the World Cup touched their land for the first time since 1986.