The Argentinian goalkeeper’s continued parody of French striker Kylian Mbappe has stirred up new controversy.
Martinez called for “Minutes of Silence for Mbappe” in the Argentina dressing room post-match after the World Cup final, and during their trophy parade in Buenos Aires, he was pictured with a toy in his hands as “Baby Mbappe.”
Le Graet has disclosed to Ouest-France how he has contacted his Argentinian counterpart, Claudio Tapia, to express his feelings on the matter.
“I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation, I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand, This is going too far. Mbappé’s behavior has been exemplary,” he said
Tensions had started between Mbappe and Martinez long before the kickoff after the PSG Forward suggested that European nations come into tournaments like the World Cup better prepared due to the competitiveness of most European leagues compared to those in South America.
Martinez responded by claiming that Mbappe lacks sufficient knowledge of South American football, and after Argentina defeated France in the final of the Qatar World Cup to lift the trophy for the third time in their history, the Aston Villa goalkeeper has used every opportunity to mock him despite conceding three goals including another goal in the shootouts.
Mbappe scored two penalties and a volley that tied the score 3-3 for his nation in the World Cup final, becoming just the second player in football history to score a hat-trick in the final.
