Martinez blames teammates for WC final offensive gesture

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has mentioned he regrets making a vulgar gesture on the World Cup final however positioned the blame on his teammates.

After being handed the “Golden Glove” for being the perfect goalkeeper on the 2022 World Cup, Martinez was captured on digicam holding the award close to his crotch.

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Martinez was criticised, for the motion, together with by his own manager at Aston Villa.

Martinez, who saved one penalty within the shootout to assist Argentina beat France within the World Cup final, told TYC Sports: “I’m not proud of that, obviously, but it was a bet.

“Just after they have been going to offer me the Golden Glove, the boys [Argentina teammates] mentioned, ‘why do not you do the identical as within the Copa America?’ and I might say, ‘What if I do?’ and they might reply ‘What if you happen to do not!’ It’s my teammates’ fault.”

Martinez had already made a similar gesture after a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Brazil on the Maracana stadium in July 2021 that gave Argentina the Copa America.

“I had performed it on the Copa America due to what had occurred,” he mentioned, referencing the hostile environment in Brazil.

Martinez, 30, accepted the award for The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper on Monday in a ceremony in Paris and made no offensive gestures.