‘I don’t waste my energy on such LITTLE things’: Kylian Mbappe dismisses Emiliano Martinez’s ‘baby’ as ‘not my problem’ after keeper taunts him during World Cup celebrations in Argentina
Kylian Mbappe has insisted he was ‘not bothered’ by Emiliano Martinez’s continued taunts following Argentina’s World Cup triumph over France.
Martinez, who was Argentina’s hero in the penalty shootout, shoved Mbappe past the Qatar showpiece, which saw the Aston Villa goalkeeper hold a doll with the PSG star’s face in the penalty shootout. open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires last week.
To make matters worse, Martinez held the Mbappe doll aloft while standing next to 24-year-old PSG team-mate Lionel Messi. It also followed Martinez brutally mocking Mbappe during the Argentina dressing room celebrations by calling for a minute’s silence for the French striker. It came even though the 30-year-old was seen as one of the first people to console Mbappe after France’s heartbreaking loss.
Kylian Mbappe (right) insists he is ‘not bothered’ by Emiliano Martinez’s (left) celebrations
Mbappe (right) and Martinez (left) pose for a photo after winning their World Cup awards
And while talk surrounding the pair’s rivalry sparked much discussion in the aftermath of the World Cup, Mbappe dismissed Martinez’s actions saying he didn’t mind them.
“Celebrations are not my problem,” Mbappe told reporters when asked about Martinez’s actions after PSG’s 2-1 win over Strasbourg, as reported by RMC Sport.
“I don’t waste energy on such trivial things. What’s important to me is giving my best for my club, and we’re looking forward to Leo (Messi) turning around to keep scoring and winning games.
Emiliano Martinez has mocked Kylian Mbappe after Argentina’s World Cup triumph on Sunday by calling for a minute’s silence for the Frenchman as his side celebrated in their dressing room.
Mbappe, who scored a 95th-minute penalty to win PSG’s game on Wednesday night, couldn’t help but deliver a sharp blow to Martinez as he claimed his Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi was a ‘good sportsman’ – suggesting that Martinez was not.
“I spoke with him (Messi) after the game (World Cup), I congratulated him,” added Mbappe. “It was the goal of a lifetime for him, for me too, but I failed, so you always have to remain a good sportsman.
“Personally, I will never recover from this (losing the final). But my club is not responsible for this failure of our team, (so) I tried to come back with the most positive energy possible.
After the final in Qatar, Martinez and Mbappe were all smiles as they were pictured together as Golden Glove and Golden Boot winners – alongside Ballon d’Or winner Messi and Young Player of the Enzo Fernandez Tournament.
Martinez risked boring the French supporters further when he celebrated a missed penalty by dancing
Martinez was also seen consoling Mbappe after France’s brutal World Cup defeat but the Villa keeper taunted him afterwards.
But ever since the pair left the turf at Lusail Stadium, Martinez has apparently had it for the French star.
It’s most likely related to the PSG striker’s comments six months before the tournament. Mbappe said: “The advantage we have in Europe is that we play amongst ourselves with high-level games all the time, like the Nations League.
“When we come to the World Cup we are ready, where Brazil and Argentina don’t have that level in South America. Football is not as advanced as in Europe. That’s why at the last World Cups, it is always the Europeans who win.
Martinez responded to complaints ahead of the final and said: “He said the level in South America is lower than the European level because he didn’t play there.”
Mbappe scored on his return to PSG, winning the match with a 95th-minute penalty
Mbappe marked his comeback with a goal and helped extend his lead at the top to eight points
“If you don’t have the experience, it’s hard to comment, but there’s nothing wrong with what he said.” They know we are a world class team and they respect us for it.
The Argentine keeper – who started dancing when Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni missed his penalty – also made a lewd gesture when he received the Golden Glove trophy.
He was pictured making a rude gesture with the gong as he held it to his private parts.
Martinez has since explained that he did so because the French fans booed him during Argentina’s thrilling final victory.
