Kylian Mbappe insists he will never recover from his World Cup heartbreak, but he will not waste time engaging in a verbal brawl with Argentina’s divisive goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez..
In Qatar, the France forward cemented his position as Lionel Messi’s heir apparent, putting on a series of outstanding performances that culminated in a historic performance in the final.
Mbappe became the first man to score a hat-trick in a final since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966, and he also held his nerve in a penalty shootout that ended in defeat after Martinez’s excellence, and highly contentious gamesmanship, proved decisive.
The Golden Boot was little consolation for the 24-year-old, who later became an unlikely target for Argentina’s players, particularly Martinez, during Argentina’s riotous post-match celebrations..
Martinez was filmed in the locker room after the game asking for a minute’s silence for Mbappe, and he sparked even more controversy during an open-top bus parade back in Buenos Aires by holding a doll covered in a picture of the PSG star’s face..
While Messi is still on leave, Mbappe returned to action for the Ligue 1 champions last night and made a triumphant return in his club teammate’s absence, scoring a last-minute winner from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win over Strasbourg.
When asked about the Aston Villa No.1’s trolling after the game, Mbappe replied, ‘They are not my problem. I don’t have the energy to waste on such frivolous pursuits..
It’ll never be digested. But, as I told my coach and teammates, there’s no reason for my club to pay for a loss with my national team; they’re two completely different situations.
‘The message was simple: whatever happens with the national team, PSG is a separate entity, and I’m still determined to bring every trophy to the capital.’
Martinez, like Messi, is still in Argentina, but he is expected to return for Aston Villa against Tottenham on New Year’s Day, where he will face France’s Hugo Lloris.
And new Villa manager Unai Emery insists he will speak with the former Arsenal goalkeeper about emotional control..
‘We are so proud of him,’ he said. He won the World Cup, which is incredible! Aston Villa supporters should be very proud.
‘He’ll be back next week, and we expect him to be ready for the game against Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
‘I want him to rest now because he deserves it after all that hard work and emotion. He had a fantastic World Cup, and we’re excited to have him back..
Leave a Reply