Argentina's Emiliano Martinez recreates crude World Cup trophy celebration
- Published
Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez recreated his controversial Golden Glove celebration alongside team-mates on Thursday, in his first international since winning the World Cup.
His gesture after the 2022 World Cup final - performing a rude gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy - was described as "abnormal" by the French Football Federation and "stupid" by former Crystal Palace manager and ex-France international Patrick Vieira.
At the time, Martinez's Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he would be having a word with the 30-year-old.
In the dressing room after December's final, Martinez also called for a minute's silence for Kylian Mbappe, who had scored a hat-trick for France.
He then engaged in further mockery during Argentina's victory parade in Buenos Aires, by holding up a doll depicting the striker. Mbappe later dismissed his behaviour as "futile".
On Thursday, La Albiceleste played Panama and Martinez posed alongside team-mates German Pezzella, Guido Rodriguez, Emi Martinez, Geronimo Rulli and Marcos Acuna.
It was a party atmosphere at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires on Thursday and the Argentina squad were lauded as returning heroes.
The home side won 2-0 on the night and captain Lionel Messi scored his 800th top-level goal - his 99th in international competition.