In a wide-ranging interview with France Football, Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (30) discussed some of the antics he became famous for after Argentina’s World Cup final win against France. The former Arsenal shot-stopper proved instrumental during the penalty shootout where he parried Kingsley Coman’s (26) shot before forcing Aurélien Tchouaméni (23) to put his effort wide.
Martínez spoke about what went through his mind before the Real Madrid man stepped up. The Argentine knew this penalty would be decisive because stopping it would mean a decisive lead for his team. The Aston Villa goalkeeper then threw the ball away from Tchouaméni. “Between the center circle and the penalty box, a lot of things go through a player’s head. So if I make him walk a little longer, he’d contemplate more.“
When Tchouaméni missed his penalty, giving Argentina the opportunity to go 3-1 up in the shootout, Martinez busted out some dance moves, something he has never done in his life before. According to him, it was related to the game’s adrenaline. “It was not planned, it came out of the blue. Some people may call me a clown and they may be right.” Martinez’s antics did not stop there that day. When walking up to the podium to get his best goalkeeper’s trophy, the 30-year-old made a lewd gesture with the trophy by putting it on his crotch. “It was a private joke with my teammates“, underlined Martinez. “I already did it at the Copa América. They all said I wouldn’t dare it, even Leo (Messi). I did it, just for them. As for the Kylian Mbappé song, it’s locker room banter. It should not have come out.“
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
