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‘A minute’s silence for Mbappe!’ Emiliano Martinez cruelly mocks France superstar after World Cup final drama

 (AP)
(AP)

Argentina’s penalty hero Emiliano Martinez told his team to have a minute of silence for Kylian Mbappe as he cruelly mocked the French superstar during celebrations after winning the World Cup.

Mbappe was on the losing side despite scoring a hat-trick and netting in the shootout in a classic final between France and Argentina in Qatar on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty and saw Aurelien Tchouameni miss as Argentina were crowned world champions for the first time in 36 years.

Footage later emerged of Argentina’s players dancing around the dressing room and singing “a minute’s silence for”, before leaving a gap for Martinez to shout: "For Mbappe who is dead!"

That came after Martinez had comforted Mbappe on the pitch during his side’s celebrations, with the Les Bleus forward inconsolable following the defeat.

He still couldn’t resist the jibe after feeling his counterpart had insulted South American football due to the continent’s previous failure to produce a World Cup winner since 2002.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker had previously said European sides had the advantage at World Cups because they play “high-level matches all the time”.

Emiliano Martinez had initially comforted Kylian Mbappe after the World Cup final shootout (AP)
Emiliano Martinez had initially comforted Kylian Mbappe after the World Cup final shootout (AP)

Martinez responded this week: "He said that the level of South America is lower than the European level because he did not play there.

"If you do not have the experience then it is difficult to comment, but nothing was wrong with what he said. They know we are a world-class team and they respect us for that."

Alongside winning the World Cup, Martinez was also handed the Golden Glove award for the tournament’s best goalkeeper at Lusail Stadium.

He quickly courted further controversy by making a sexual gesture with the trophy on the pitch during the celebrations after the match.

Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar - In Pictures

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes pictures of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as she holds the winners trophy after Argentina won the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes pictures of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as she holds the winners trophy after Argentina won the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi sits with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi sits with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images)
Messi has now won two major international trophies in two years following the 2021 Copa America win (Getty Images)
Messi has now won two major international trophies in two years following the 2021 Copa America win (Getty Images)

Martinez has been in a combative mood in Qatar, telling Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal to “keep his mouth shut” after saving two penalties in the quarter-finals.

He also called referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz “useless” after a match that saw a tournament-record 18 cards issued.