He can’t help himself. Emiliano Martinez reproduced the obscene celebration that earned him a flood of criticism after Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup final against France (3-3, 4 pens 2). On Thursday, the Albiceleste celebrated their second consecutive Copa America title after beating Chile (3-0) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The goalkeeper raised the trophy at crotch level towards the crowd at the Monumental, under the amused eyes of some of his teammates like Leandro Paredes.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper quickly returns to his natural state, having confessed to regretting the gesture he made after receiving the trophy for the best goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup. “It was a stupid thing, it’s the only thing I’m not proud of,” he said on ESPN. He has since repeated it almost systematically during the various celebrations of Argentina’s titles. Hated by a large part of the French public after his slip-ups during the 2022 World Cup, he also teased Chilean fans last June during the Copa America.
“I don’t cross any limits”
On Thursday, he raised the spirits at the Monumental stadium during his warm-up by repeating his swinging-arms move from Aurélien Tchouaméni’s penalty save. About two hours later, he was still one of the most festive for the Copa America lap of honour. “I never try to upset the fans, never,” he swore last August. “I just try to slow things down when the game is not going well for us, I try to kick the ball as hard as I can to the other side. (…) I don’t swear, I don’t insult anyone. I don’t cross any lines, I never do.”
Martinez may still have a chance to celebrate a few trophies this season. He is among the 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or, as well as the finalists for the Yachine Trophy for best goalkeeper, which he won last year.
- RMC Sport
