Emiliano Martínez attracted increasingly negative attention during and after the award ceremony for the 2022 World Cup.Image: imago images/Agencia EFE/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
World Cup 2022
Even a few days after winning the World Cup final against France, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is still the subject of public discussions. In the final, Martínez caused several upsets. On the one hand, he was criticized for having disrespected the French team, and he also caused a sensation with his “penis celebration”. Now Unai Emery spoke out as his coach at Aston Villa and took a stand.
Martínez attracts attention with mockery of the French
In terms of his athletic performance, Martínez shone throughout the 2022 World Cup. On the other hand, football fans had doubts about his personality. The reason was his behavior in the penalty shoot-out in the final. There he did not throw the ball to Aurélien Tchouaméni so that he could take his penalty, but threw the ball into the penalty area on the right. Tchouaméni just shook his head and missed his penalty miserably.
Despite the referee admonishing the Argentine, Martínez pressed on and tried to upset the closest Frenchman, earning himself a yellow card.
At the award ceremony, the goalkeeper was nevertheless named the best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup, although he once again caused a lot of conversation. With his trophy, a golden glove, he made a gesture in which he held his hand over his privates and grimaced. In an interview, he later justified the pose as a reaction to the “arrogance” of the French, who would have booed him.
Back in his home country, however, he caught the eye again when he celebrated with a baby doll with Kylian Mbappé’s face on the team bus.
Coach wants to talk to him about provocation at World Cup
After increased public criticism, his club coach Unai Emery from Aston Villa also commented on his player’s behavior in a press conference. Accordingly, he understands that great emotions are sometimes difficult to control, but he plans to have a conversation with him soon:
“I’ll be speaking to him about some of his celebrations next week.”
However, the conversation will only take place when the Argentine is back in England. Additionally, Emery stressed that he was nevertheless very proud of the goalkeeper, as every Villa fan should be. However, Martínez needs to rest after his hard work and will not return to England until next week.
Previously, the goalkeeper was heavily criticized from many sides. Among others, the former DFB captain Michael Ballack and above all all French fans condemned him for his provocative gestures.
For a long time it was uncertain whether Mick Schumacher would still drive in Formula 1 next year. For many, a change to Formula E, for example, was already a given. After a long back and forth, the 23-year-old had not received a contract with Haas beyond the 2022 season. Instead, Mick Schumacher’s son will be the reserve driver for the Mercedes racing team. Where his father ended his career.
