The World Cup may have been all about one man in Lionel Messi, but it has been a different Argentine that has dominated the headlines following the final.
Emiliano Martinez played a huge role in helping his nation land the trophy, making some huge saves in the game and during the penalty shootout against France.
He was given the golden glove award for his performances in the tournament, with his actions with the trophy causing some debate at the time.
What the fuck. What a way to win your golden glove Emi Martinez pic.twitter.com/Cw7jwYQeJQ
— duncs (@duncs182) December 18, 2022
He has since gone on to spend the following few days slagging off Kylian Mbappe, so much so that French football authorities have had to intervene.
Graeme Souness calls out Emiliano Martinez for Qatar behaviour
Graeme Souness was certainly not impressed with the conduct of Emiliano Martinez.
Writing in his column from the Daily Mail, he heavily criticised the goalkeeper for both his behaviour after receiving the golden glove and during the shootout. He believes the former especially egregious when you consider that Qatari dignitaries were present on the stage.
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.
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...
His conduct in attempting to put off France's players before taking their penalties has clearly split opinion.
I have been part of this sort of thing before with my Liverpool team-mate Bruce Grobbelaar in the 1984 European Cup Final against Roma, in Rome...
Where Martinez crossed the line was by throwing the ball away from Aurelien Tchouameni, who then hit the post. You still have to show respect to everyone else on the pitch. It is not win at all costs. There is a limit to what you can do...
Kicking the ball away? Martinez overstepped the mark. Not for the last time, either.
Emiliano Martniez has certainly split opinion with his actions, but there is no doubt that his contributions were some of the most memorable during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
You get the feeling that he won't care too much about what others think of him as a result.
SEE ALSO: France Lodge Complaint Over Mbappe Treatment During Argentina World Cup Celebrations
