‘Proof that men never grow up’
Emiliano Martinez has divided fans over the crude way he celebrated winning the coveted Golden Glove award after Argentina won the World Cup final over France on Sunday.
The 30-year-old, who played a huge role in his country’s penalty shootout victory at the Lusail Stadium, used his award like “a massive cock” in front of unimpressed Qatari officials.
Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria had Argentina 2-0 up before a rapid double from Kylian Mbappe forced extra-time. Messi nudged the Albiceste back in front with just 12 minutes remaining, but Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to rescue France again.
In an intense penalty shootout, Martinez was once again the hero for Argentina, as he was during the team’s quarter-final victory over Netherlands.
After being crowned the best goalkeeper of the tournament the former Arsenal player raised eyebrows with Qatari officials after he placed the trophy, a giant gold hand, to his groin, before waving it up above his head during the post-match celebrations.
Martinez’s gesture was lauded by many online, with one viewer tweeting: “Emi Martinez pretending the Golden Glove was his d*** was better than the entire game.”
Another posted: “MARTINEZ YOU LEGEND.” And a third wrote: “Can’t believe he actually did that.”
But not all football fans saw the gesture as a bit of harmless fun.
https://twitter.com/TrollFootball/status/1604546894205579265
@emimartinezz1 with the Golden Glove award as a massive cock. Lovely. #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/sEuspIejnC
— Hoodwink (@Hoodwink1983) December 18, 2022
“Ruined his amazing World Cup. What a shame he’ll be remembered more for this over the ages,” bemoaned one.
Another wrote: “He ruined the moment. What a shame.”
Martinez played a crucial role in Argentina’s dramatic victory. He first made arguably one of the greatest and most important saves of all-time in the 123rd minute to keep the score at 3-3.
Looking back at the match, Martinez was a lot more grown up and emotional.
He said of the victory: “It’s a moment that I always have to give to my teammates, they kicked me three times again and scored three goals, but then I did everything right.”
Martinez added: “A game of suffering, two s***ty shots and they tied us. One thing we said was that it was destiny to suffer, we got 3-2, they charge us another penalty, thank God I took that foot out.
“Then I did my thing, what I dreamed of, there could not be a World Cup that I have dreamed of so much.”
Before his starring role in the shootout, Martinez made a huge save in the final moments of extra-time to keep Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive using his outstretched leg. The save forced the match into a penalty shootout
Related links:
- Lionel Messi confirms he is the greatest footballer ever as Argentina beat France in the World Cup final
- Roy Keane gives apt response to Ian Wright’s attempt at pre-match wind-up
- Gary Neville hits out at UK government ahead of World Cup final
