World champion Emiliano Martínez didn’t just make friends at the World Cup.Image: AP / Manu Fernandez
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is currently one of the most controversial footballers in the world. At the World Cup in Qatar and at the celebrations afterwards, he was repeatedly noticed for his unsportsmanlike behavior.
In the final against France, he verbally provoked the opposing penalty takers and by hitting the ball away. At Argentina’s victory celebrations, he held the World Cup trophy in an obscene pose – only to retaliate, as he later explained, for the boos from the French fans.
Martínez caused quite a stir with this controversial celebration. Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
And also during the triumphal drive through Buenos Aires, Martínez attracted attention again with a questionable action. He sneered with a doll with Kylian Mbappé’s face taped onto it.
His provocative behavior is not well received by everyone. Martínez’s manager at Aston Villa, Unai Emery, is also said to be dissatisfied with the Argentinian goalkeeper’s recent actions.
According to the Spanish portal “Fichajes” Emery even wants to sell him in winter. The Spanish coach is said to disapprove of Martínez’s behavior.
“I’ll be talking to him about some of his celebrations next week”, Emery announced at the press conference ahead of the upcoming game against Liverpool. But he wants to respect the fact that Martínez is still under the control of the national team. “If he’s with us, it’s our responsibility to talk to him about it.”
The experienced coach knows himself: “When you have big emotions, it’s sometimes difficult to control.”
Other World Cup star possible successor
Seville’s Yassine Bounou is said to be in talks to succeed Aston Villa. The Moroccan caused a sensation at the World Cup and only failed with his team in the semifinals against France.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was one of the top performers in the surprise team at the World Cup. Image: IMAGO/Ulmer/Team photo
The Premier League is the only one of the major European leagues to start playing again on December 26th. On the so-called Boxing Day, Aston Villa welcomes Liverpool FC and coach Jürgen Klopp.
Since the end of the world championship is less than two weeks ago, many teams will still be missing a number of world championship drivers. World champion Emiliano Martínez will not start training again until next week, his trainer Emery revealed.
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.