France legend Patrick Vieira thinks Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez went too far with his celebrations after winning in the World Cup final.
Martinez has received widespread criticism over several incidents during the match and in his celebrations afterwards.
As well as general “sh*thousery” during the penalty shootout, Martinez was also criticised for his unnecessary mocking of Kylian Mbappe.
The Argentina goalkeeper mocked the France forward in the dressing room after the match and was seen holding a doll with Mbappe’s face on it during their open-top bus parade.
He also took the p*ss out of France supporters by taking the Golden Glove trophy, lowering it towards his groin and thrusting towards the crowd.
That led to former France defender Adil Rami to declare: “The biggest s*** in the world of football.
“The most hated man. Mbappe traumatized them so much that they celebrate the victory against our team more than their World Cup.”
And Vieira thinks Martinez’s antics have taken “away a little bit from what Argentina achieved at the World Cup”.
Speaking in his Crystal Palace press conference on Friday, Vieira said: “When you are talking about the abuse and the comments that he [Mbappe] received after the World Cup, I think that is damaging the game and himself.
“Some of the pictures that I saw from the Argentina goalkeeper took away a little bit from what Argentina achieved at the World Cup.
“I don’t think that they really needed that. You can’t control sometimes people’s emotions or decisions, but that was a stupid decision from Martinez to do that.”
Mbappe, who bagged a hat-trick in the World Cup final as well as scoring his shootout penalty past Martinez, received abuse inside the stadium and online after the match.
“I was really disappointed because I heard the same songs as you,” Vieira added.
“I want to have a picture of the Argentina fans with the passion and the love they showed during those games. Of course, they won the World Cup, but in the stands, they were the best as well.
“I want to keep that in my mind and not think about those stupid fans who put some darkness on top of what Argentina achieved on and off the field. This is the dark side of the Argentina World Cup [win].”
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