Emiliano Martinez has revealed what he said to Kylian Mbappe after the striker suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final.
The meeting between Argentina and France in Qatar is arguably the greatest World Cup final ever, with the South American nation winning on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The match will forever be remembered for Lionel Messi finally getting his hands on the famous trophy, emulating the legendary Diego Maradona and ending Argentina’s 36-year-long World Cup drought.
However, French striker Kylian Mbappe will also take a page in the history books, albeit an unwanted one.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was the driving force behind France’s World Cup triumph in 2018, capping a superb tournament with a goal in the final at the tender age of 19.
He almost repeated the feat in Qatar, but somehow managed to end up on the losing side.
Mbappe found the back of the net twice in normal time, once from the penalty spot and then again with a spectacular volley.
He then completed his hat-trick when he converted a second penalty in the dying moments of extra-time, before scoring from the spot for a third time during the penalty shootout.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez was the hero of the shootout, replicating his quarter-final heroics to make a crucial stop.
Amid Argentina’s wild post-match celebrations, ‘Dibu’ Martinez was caught consoling a visibly upset Mbappe. Now he’s revealed what he said.
Kylian Mbappe was forced to pose awkwardly alongside Emi Martinez after the World Cup final. (Image: Alamy)
“I told him to get up and to look forward,” Martinez told TyC Sports, “[that] he shouldn’t be on the floor, but proud of the game he had played, which is the truth.
“He scored four goals on me. The one who should be on the floor is me.”
Martinez has become an idol in Argentina, but his antics in Qatar – and for Aston Villa – have rubbed plenty of people the wrong way.
The keeper’s gamesmanship and celebrations during penalty shootouts have drawn criticism, as was the lewd way he posed for photographs with the World Cup Golden Glove award and appeared to mock Mbappe after the final.
However, the fresh quotes that prove he consoled Mbappe during the greatest moment of his career offer a new perspective on Martinez at a time when he was widely condemned for his antics.
