Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has decided to get a new tattoo – and it's a potential nod to his last-minute save to deny Kolo Muani in the World Cup final.
Martinez pulled off the biggest save of his life in the dying embers of extra-time, stopping France forward Muani from scoring the winner with an incredible 123rd-minute block.
That superb save with his left leg forced a penalty shootout, where he would unsettle the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman to help Argentina lift the trophy.
The 30-year-old proceeded to mock Kylian Mbappe by telling his teammates to have "a minute of silence" for the French forward before carrying around a doll with Mbappe's face taped to it during La Albiceleste's open-top bus parade.
Advert
A week after his antics and Martinez has decided to get a permanent reminder of his World Cup triumph by getting a tattoo of the trophy on his left leg.
In fact, the design has been placed in the exact same position as his wonder save against Eintracht Frankfurt forward Muani.
Argentine tattoo artist Juan Pablo Skunca spent hours working on the piece before Martinez posted a picture of the finished ink on his Instagram page.
Featuring Argentina's updated 3-star log, the tattoo reads "Que la pasión te lleve a la gloria", which translates to "May passion lead you to glory."
Away from his new tattoo and the president of the French FA has penned a formal letter of complaint about Martinez's conduct.
"I wrote to my counterpart from the Argentine Federation," he said. "I find these excesses abnormal, in the context of a sports competition, and I find it difficult to understand. This is going too far. Mbappe's behaviour has been exemplary."
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery didn't appear too impressed with his player's actions, either.
In a press conference ahead of Villa's Premier League clash against Liverpool, the Spaniard said he will have a word with the former Arsenal goalkeeper about "some" of his celebrations.
"When you have a big emotion, sometimes it’s difficult to control it," Emery said.
"I will speak to him next week about some of the celebrations but I need to respect that he’s with his national team right now. When he’s back with us we can speak about it."
From 26-28th December, watch all 10 Premier League games live, including Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest and more. Watch for free with a 30-day free trial to Prime!
Topics: Emiliano Martinez, Argentina, Football World Cup, France, Aston Villa
Jack Kenmare