Speaking to Le Quotidien at FIFA’s The Best ceremony yesterday, where he was crowned goalkeeper of the year, Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez sought to appease tensions with the French after December’s World Cup final win over Les Bleus.
The Aston Villa man made a crucial save from Randal Kolo Muani in the final seconds of extra-time, when the score was 3-3, to deny Didier Deschamps’ men a second consecutive title, before once again proving decisive in the ensuing penalty shoot-out.
However, it was the 30-year-old’s post-match antics which particularly provoked the ire of Les Bleus fans, notably with a dressing room chant aimed at Kylian Mbappé – who scored a hat-trick in the final – as well as his puzzling celebration on being given the goalkeeper of the tournament award. The open-top bus parade through Buenos Aires saw him hold a baby doll with the PSG forward’s face on it.
Speaking at Monday’s ceremony held in Paris, though, the former Arsenal man sought a more conciliatory tone:
“Honestly, it was just a game. I love France. I came here loads of times on holiday. I love the French.”
“I share a dressing room with two French players at Villa. And like I said, Arsenal have had so many great French players – Arsène Wenger, a legend. He works for FIFA now so it’ll be good to see him today.”
“[The French] did everything they could to win the World Cup. They won the one before that and the Nations League too, so they’ve got a bright future ahead.”
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin