Frenchman Patrick Vieira, coach of Crystal Palace, criticized on Saturday the “stupid” celebrations of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, in the wake of his country’s victory over France in the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
Martinez, winner of the Golden Glove award, was one of the most important elements for Argentina on its way to the third title in its history.
In the final, he made a brilliant save from Randall Kolo Moinet in the last minute of stoppage time for the second extra period to take the match to a penalty shootout, during which he saved Kingsley Coman’s attempt to win Argentina 4-2.
But then, the English goalkeeper, Aston Villa, made an immoral move after receiving the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper in the tournament. And in the festive march in the capital, Buenos Aires, he carried a doll and its face was covered with a picture of Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, who scored three goals in the final and won the tournament’s top scorer award (8 goals).
And Martinez vandalised Qatar with his celebration????. pic.twitter.com/ydEV0Hej2f
— Tammy Solomon (@Tammy_Solomon21) December 20, 2022
Vieira, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, criticized Martinez’s antics.
He said in a press conference on the sidelines of the match against Fulham in the English Premier League, Monday, “I think that some of the pictures that I saw from the Argentine goalkeeper detracted a little from what Argentina achieved in the World Cup … I really don’t think that they needed to do that.”
“But, you know, you can’t control the world’s feelings and decisions sometimes, but it was a stupid decision by Martinez to do that.”
Martinez will return to Birmingham next week, with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery planning to speak to the 30-year-old about his controversial behaviour.
Emery said, “When you have strong feelings, sometimes it is difficult to control them .. I will talk to him next week, about some celebrations, but now I respect that he is with the national team and when he is with us, it is our responsibility and then we can talk about it.”
“I find it pathetic,” French Sports Minister Amelie Audia-Castierra said on Friday.