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Former French defender Adil Rami has lambasted Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his mockery of Kylian Mbappe.
The 30-year-old Aston Villa shot-stopper continues to poke fun at Mbappe's 2022 FIFA World Cup final heartbreak. During a tour of Argentina's tour with the trophy after beating France 4-2 on penalties in the final, Martinez held a toy baby with Mbappe's upset face on it.
That has not gone down well with Rami, who has slammed Martinez for his antics, posting an image of Martinez on his Instagram story with the caption (as translated from French):
"The biggest son of a (…) in football. The most hated man.”
Martinez picked up the Golden Glove for his performances at the FIFA World Cup, keeping three clean sheets in seven appearances. The Villa keeper made a phenomenal save from France forward Randal Kolo Muani in the closing moments of extra time in the final to keep the score 3-3.
However, Rami said that Morocco's Yassine Bounou should have won the Golden Glove award. Bounou conceded three fewer goals than Martinez in the tournament and also kept three clean sheets.
Rami then continued his support of Mbappe. He said that the PSG attacker traumatised his Argentine opponents so much with his dazzling hat-trick that Argentina are celebrating beating Mbappe more than winning the competition.
The French forward also scored from the spot in the shootout, but Aurelien Tchouameni shot wide after Martinez had denied Kingsley Coman.
Mbappe's hat-trick was only the second in a World Cup final but first in a losing cause.
Kylian Mbappe may become new France captain if Hugo Lloris retires before 2024
Kylian Mbappe could become the next captain of Les Bleus if current skipper Lloris retires before 2024, per journalist Hadrien Grenier. That's the same year the European Championships in Germany will take place.
Lloris will turn 36 next month and is in the twilight of his career. He was appointed captain in 2012 and won the World Cup in 2018, earning 145 caps and keeping 63 clean sheets.
The custodian previously mentioned Kylian Mbappe's leadership credentials when explaining how this year's World Cup would be the passing of the torch for the new generation. He said:
"It was a bit of a handover between a generation arriving in the last phase of their career and a new generation led by Kylian who showed strong leadership in this tournament and even more so in this final. We must keep this France team at the top.”
Kylian Mbappe showed maturity beyond his years at the World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in seven games.
