Mueez Ajao
– France striker Kylian Mbappe has said he won’t “waste energy on such futile things” when asked about Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s taunts after the World Cup final.
– Martinez called for a minute’s silence for Mbappe during his team’s dressing-room celebrations in Qatar and posed with a doll depicting the player.
– “Celebrations are not my problem,” Mbappe told RMC Sport.
Also Read: Mbappe rescues PSG at the death as Neymar sees red
– “I don’t waste energy on such futile things.”
– Martinez, who also made a rude gesture with the trophy for the tournament’s best goalkeeper in the wake of Argentina’s shoot-out win on 18 December, is reportedly due back to training with Aston Villa on Thursday where manager Unai Emery has said he will speak to him about his celebrations.
– Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the final, emphasised that the result would not cause any issues between him and Paris St Germain team-mate Lionel Messi.
– “I spoke with him after the match, I congratulated him,” Mbappe continued.
– “It was the quest of a lifetime for him, for me too, but I failed, so you always have to be a good sportsman.”
– Martinez’s antics, which also included also included various attempts to unsettle Les Bleus’ penalty-takers during the shoot-out, have caused consternation in France.
– Former France defender Adil Rami called Martinez “the most hated man”, while congressman Karl Olive said Fifa should congressman Karl Olive said Fifa should rescind his best goalkeeper award.
– Mbappe scored a late winner against Strasbourg on Wednesday evening as PSG moved eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
– The striker, 24, won the World Cup’s Golden Boot with eight goals and is currently top of the French top-flight scoring charts with 13 goals.
