He did it again! Aston Villa keeper Martinez recreates crude World Cup final gesture

Football
25 Mar 2023 • 7:14 AM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

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Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez recreated his controversial Golden Glove celebration alongside team-mates on Thursday, in his first international since winning the World Cup.

His gesture after the 2022 World Cup final - performing a rude gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy - was described as "abnormal" by the French Football Federation and "stupid" by former Crystal Palace manager and ex-France international Patrick Vieira.

At the time, Martinez's Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he would be having a word with the 30-year-old.

In the dressing room after December's final, Martinez also called for a minute's silence for Kylian Mbappe, who had scored a hat-trick for France.

He then engaged in further mockery during Argentina's victory parade in Buenos Aires, by holding up a doll depicting the striker. Mbappe later dismissed his behaviour as "futile".

On Thursday, La Albiceleste played Panama and Martinez posed alongside team-mates German Pezzella, Guido Rodriguez, Emi Martinez, Geronimo Rulli and Marcos Acuna.

It was a party atmosphere at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires on Thursday and the Argentina squad were lauded as returning heroes.

The home side won 2-0 on the night and captain Lionel Messi scored his 800th top-level goal - his 99th in international competition.