Graeme Souness was not impressed at all with how Emiliano Martinez celebrated after Argentina won the World Cup, labelling the goalkeeper a ‘vulgar clown’ for his actions with the Golden Glove trophy.
It got laughs from some, but the Qatari dignitary standing next to Martinez did not look thrilled, and it turns out that Souness found it all a bit too rude as well.
The Liverpool legend could not believe what Martinez was thinking by celebrating that way and thinks it was far worse than what he did during the penalty shootout when he tried to put off the French takers.
The goalkeeper employed some dark arts, like kicking the ball away and dancing during the shootout, but Souness was far more rattled by his Golden Glove antics.
‘Much of the debate post World Cup final has centred on the behaviour of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the penalty shootout,’ Souness wrote in The Daily Mail.
‘I can accept those antics, to a point. But what we should be talking about more is the crude gesture he made after collecting his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy. Do some people really find that sort of thing funny? Martinez embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his country. He looked like a vulgar clown. If that is what he wants to be remembered for, then God help us all.
‘I like him as a goalkeeper, for Argentina and Aston Villa. But for him to think what he did was appropriate, it beggars belief. Why did he not want to be remembered instead for his performance? Or the team’s performance? Or Lionel Messi’s performance? I cannot understand why he chose to do that in front of a watching world. He was also on stage with the various dignitaries and the Emir of Qatar.
‘What respect is he showing for his hosts? For himself, even? Maybe he doesn’t care. He should. He will not be so proud in years to come. Sadly, that image is part of the story of the final now.’
MORE : French sports minister slams Emi Martinez for trolling Kylian Mbappe
MORE : Aston Villa boss Unai Emery plans to talk to Emiliano Martinez about his World Cup celebrations
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