Emi Martinez Provides Details on Inappropriate World Cup Celebration, Admits He Disobeyed Leo Messi

• Emiliano Martinez was recognized for his impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a Golden Glove award
• But the 30-year-old shot-stopper made headlines for the wrong reasons
• He has since opened up on his unceremonious celebration

Emiliano Martinez has opened up on his improper celebration after the 2022 World Cup final against France.

The giant goalkeeper was the hero for Argentina after making a point-blank save from Randal Kolo Muani in the dying embers of the game before saving a penalty from Kingsley Coman.

His goalkeeping heroics throughout the Mundial was capped with the Golden Glove award, the prize for the best goalkeeper at the tournament, per 90Min.

However, his unfitting celebration of holding the prize in his crotch area which was branded offensive took some shine off his near-perfect performance.

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Almost two months after the incident, the Aston Villa custodian has disclosed his antics were part of a joke with his Argentina teammates.

“What I did with the trophy was a joke with my teammates. I had already done it in the Copa América, and everyone told me: 'You're not going to do it again,' he told France Football as quoted by PSG Report.

Martinez even revealed he did not heed Lionel Messi's caution against celebrating by placing the trophy closer to his crotch area.

"Even Leo also... I did it for them, nothing more. It lasted a second and that's it.”

Mbappe mimics Martinez's rude celebration

Shortly after Martinez's unceremonious celebration, Kylian Mbappe has been spotted replicating Emiliano Martinez's controversial World Cup gesture at his club's training base.

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Martinez played an important role in Argentina's World Cup triumph, including a last-gasp save, which could have swung the game in favour of France.

A video shared on social media, showing Mbappe apparently mimicking those very same antics at PSG's training centre, is circulating online.

FIFA investigates Emi Martinez

FIFA have officially opened an investigation into the conduct of Emi Martinez following the widely publicised celebrations after the World Cup final, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Martinez celebrated widely with gestures that were termed offensive after helping Argentina to win the World Cup. Argentina beat France on post-match penalties on December 18th.

His celebrations however later brought about much debate after he specifically targeted France star Kylian Mbappe. His actions have seemingly informed FIFA's decision to put out a statement.