After beating Panama 2-0, the Argentina team celebrated the 2022 World Cup championship at Monumental Stadium (Buenos Aires). Notably, the “Albiceleste” players happily recreated the controversial celebration of goalkeeper Martinez during the award ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final. Instead of holding the title of “Golden Glove” like Martinez, the collective Argentina holds a fake trophy prepared in advance.
Explaining this celebration, Martinez said after the 2022 World Cup final: “I did it because the French fans booed me during the match. It’s a pity that the provocations could not distract me. I suffered a lot.”
Because of that controversial action, Martinez received a lot of criticism from fans. “Martinez is a good goalkeeper, no doubt, but acts ridiculous and unacceptable,” one fan commented. “I don’t understand what he’s thinking,” another user commented.
On December 24, 2022, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera also criticized the Argentine collective: “The way they behave after winning is not worthy of the match we watch.” Later, the female minister also said that the Argentine players had “vulgar, less elegant” behavior.
Also in the match against Panama, Martinez also drew attention when he burst into tears while singing the national anthem in front of more than 85,000 home fans. Two other players who could not hold back their tears were Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi. Not only the Argentine stars, some players on the Panama side also cried at the passionate atmosphere at the Monumental Stadium.
After the victory over Panama, coach Lionel Scaloni’s teachers and students have another friendly match against Curacao on March 28.
source: football
