EMI Martinez is not the most popular figure with French football fans after his antics during and after the last victory of Argentina over Les Bleus in 2022
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has painted part of his hair in the colors of the flag of Argentina for Villa's Champions League quarterfinals first stage against Paris Saint-Germain. The actions of the goalkeeper acted as a memory of his achievements in the final of 2022, when he helped his country to beat France to eliminate the trophy in Qatar.
Former Arsenal star Martinez picked up a large rescue from Randal Kolo Muani to send the final to penalties, the South American then held a spot kick from Kingsley Coman before Coman's countryman Aurelien Tchouameni missed the goal of 12 Yards.
A number of home fans in the Parc des Princes will also have joined Les Bleus in Qatar. Ousmane Dembele, one of the current stars of PSG, was also in the French Start XI when they shot in Martinez and Argentina.
In the run-up to Wednesday's first stage, the former PSG and France goalkeeper Bernard Lama was aimed at “annoying” Martinez. “He is a bit annoying because of his provocations,” Lama – part of the World Cup team of France in 1998 – told RMC Sport.
“I don't like that. But otherwise he is still a good keeper, nothing more. He is not a great keeper. He is a good keeper who has good spells, who had his enchantment on the World Cup 2022. He is not the big goalkeeper.”
It was not the only way he had provoked keeper the home support. He arrived in France with a hat with the Copa America, World Cup and Finalissima trophies, which he all won with the Albiceleste.
Whistles for Martinez were clearly from the first time he touched the ball in Paris. “I'm not sure if there is a larger excuser in the game at the moment,” said co-commentator Ally McCoist after learning the hat gesture.
Martinez previously made the wrath of French fans when he traveled to Lille with Villa in the Conference League 2023-24. Villa defeated Lille on that occasion, also in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Villa traveled to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday with the aim of giving himself the opportunity to continue to the last four of the Champions League. Fellow Premier League side Arsenal gave himself a big chance on Tuesday and won 3-0 for Real Madrid in their own first stage.
Prince William was one of those in Paris to encourage Villa. He expected a difficult evening before the side of Unai Emery, which he supports, but supported them to claim a 2-1 victory.
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