Martinez labelled "a toddler" by Argentina boss after World Cup celebrations

17 January 2023 , 13:05

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Emiliano Martinez held a baby doll with Kylian Mbappe's face on during a victory parade (Image: Twitter)

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni believes Emiliano Martinez will "not be happy" at some of his World Cup antics - but he has stuck up for the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Martinez, 30, caused controversy by holding his Golden Glove trophy - given to the tournament's best goalkeeper - to his crotch after Argentina defeated France in the final. He then carried around a baby doll with Kylian Mbappe's face on it during a victory parade.

The former Arsenal star was criticised for his post-match actions and even received a telling off from club boss Unai Emery during a press conference. Scaloni has now waded in on the debate - calling him "a toddler" - but he claims Martinez is a "good boy".

"There are attitudes with which Dibu Martinez will not be happy, but he is a spectacular boy," Scaloni told Cadena Cope, as quoted by Football Espana. "He is a toddler. It is incredible how good a boy he is, you have to get to know him.

"He was one of the discoveries that gave us enormous joy. He has a personality that has given the group a lot. There are attitudes, but he is a toddler."

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Martinez has enjoyed a meteoric rise during the last four years. In January 2019, Arsenal loaned him out to Championship side Reading for the rest of that season. It was the sixth loan spell of his career after representing several EFL clubs and Getafe in LaLiga.

Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture after Argentina won the World Cup (Getty Images)

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At that point, very few people would've backed Martinez to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Yet his career took a turn during the 2019/20 campaign, as a knee injury to first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno forced Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to select Martinez.

The Gunners went on to win the FA Cup with Martinez in goal, which caught the eye of Villa. The West Midlands club paid £20million for him in the summer of 2020 and he's been an established first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League ever since.

Martinez's performances for Arsenal and Villa also caught Scaloni's attention. The goalkeeper was handed his senior debut in 2021 and hasn't looked back, going on to earn 26 senior caps and win the World Cup, Copa America and Finalissima.

Martinez's heroics in Qatar will be fondly remembered for many years to come. He made saves in their shootout victories against the Netherlands and France, and he pulled off an astonishing save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in the dying seconds of the final.

Yet Martinez's behaviour in those shootouts was also criticised. He spoke to his rivals, threw the ball away and danced in celebration after a missed penalty. But other critics have actually praised Martinez for winning the mental battle in the shootouts.

Emery was asked about Martinez's behaviour shortly after the final. He said: "When you have great emotions it is difficult to control. I'll talk to him next week about some celebrations... When he is with us, under our responsibility, we will be able to talk to him."

Tom Blow