Kylian Mbappé must have been one of the saddest of the disappointed French World Cup final losers: he scored three times in the final and still missed the crowning glory. On top of that, he is mocked by world champion Argentina.
Argentina’s players mocked France superstar Kylian Mbappé after winning the World Cup. Videos of the Argentines dancing for joy in their dressing room are circulating on the Internet, on one of which goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez demands: “One minute’s silence for Mbappé!” Previously, the Albiceleste had won the final in Qatar 4-2 on penalties against France and Mbappé. Even after leaving the stadium, the Argentines are said to have demanded another minute’s silence for the 23-year-old in their bus.
The background to the scorn could have been statements by Mbappé, who scored three times in the final and lost nonetheless, before the tournament. A few months ago, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker had said that football in South America was not as advanced as in Europe. Teams like Argentina or Brazil would not play at a high level. Therefore – with a view to the past world championships – the European teams would always win.
Goalkeeper Martinez, who had saved the shot of Bayern professional Kingsley Coman in the final victory on penalties against France and was later apparently at least a co-initiator of the attacks on Mbappé, had at least caused irritation shortly after the final whistle. The 30-year-old used the trophy for the best goalkeeper of the tournament after the handover for an obscene celebration as he provocatively held the Golden Glove in front of his abdomen. He later explained the motivation for his special celebration to the Argentine broadcaster “TyC Sports”: “I did it because the French booed me. I can’t do anything with their arrogance.”