Emiliano Martinez Holds Baby Doll With Kylian Mbappe’s Face During Argentina’s Victory Parade

Argentinian Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez appeared to be mocking Kylian Mbappe during his team’s World Cup victory parade in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

He was pictured carrying a baby doll with Kylian Mbappe’s photo stuck to it on the team’s open-top bus during the parade.

Mbappe’s heroics towards the end of the 2022 World Cup final went in vain as the reigning champions lost to Argentina on penalties. Martinez made an incredible save in the second half of the extra time before he made another save during the shoot-out. The French striker netted a hat-trick in the World Cup final, yet his side finished as runners-up.

The over-thrilled Argentina goalkeeper has been inviting controversies ever since his team won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Sunday. While the victory finally saw the coveted trophy in the hands of Lionel Messi, it was Argentina’s third World Cup triumph, their first since 1986.

This is not the first time when Martinez took a dig at the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar following Argentina’s World Cup win. Previously, the Goalkeeper trolled the French soccer player in the dressing room immediately after Argentina’s victory in the final at Lusail Stadium.

The Aston Villa keeper initially took aim at Mbappe before the World Cup final, as he accused the 2018 World Cup winner of “knowing nothing about football” when referencing his criticism of South American soccer earlier this year.

“The advantage we have in Europe is that we play among ourselves with high-level matches all the time, such as the Nations League, for example. When we arrive at the World Cup, we are ready, whereas Brazil and Argentina do not have this level in South America. Football is not as advanced as in Europe. That’s why at the last World Cups, it’s always the Europeans who win,” Mbappe had said.

Meanwhile, Martinez, who was playing his first World Cup with Argentina, received the Golden Glove, which is given to the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. However, he drew flak over the indecent gesture he made with the Glove at the presentation ceremony. In a recent interview, Martinez opened up on the unnecessary lewd gesture, saying it was aimed at the French.

“I did it because the French booed me. Pride does not work with me,” Martinez said in an interview.