Patrick Vieira says the abuse of Mbappe has 'damaged the game', calls Martinez 'stupid'

Patrick Vieira believes the abuse Kylian Mbappe has suffered during Argentina's World Cup celebrations has 'damaged the game' and has slammed the 'stupid' Emiliano Martinez.

Mbappe has been subjected to cruel taunts by Martinez, who poked fun at the France forward in the dressing room following Argentina's World Cup triumph.

He staged a 'moment's of silence' for the 24-year-old and continued to mock him during the trophy parade in Buenos Aires.

He was spotted carrying a doll with Mbappe's face taped to it during Argentina's open-top bus parade.

Martinez has since been branded 'the most hated man in football', with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery seemingly not impressed with his goalkeeper.

Patrick Vieira on the touchline during Crystal Palace vs. Southampton. Image: Alamy

The 30-year-old has also angered Vieira, who reckons the abuse of Mbappe has 'damaged the game'.

The Crystal Palace gaffer hit out at Martinez, too, claiming he made a 'stupid' decision during his national team's World Cup celebrations.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, he said: "When you are talking about the abuse and the comments that he [Mbappe] received after the World Cup, I think that is damaging the game and himself.

"Some of the pictures that I saw from the Argentina goalkeeper took away a little bit from what Argentina achieved at the World Cup.

"I don’t think that they really needed that. You can’t control sometimes people’s emotions or decisions, but that was a stupid decision from Martinez to do that."

Vieira, who won the World Cup in 1998, added: "I was really disappointed because I heard the same songs as you.

"I want to have a picture of the Argentina fans with the passion and the love they showed during those games. Of course, they won the World Cup, but in the stands, they were the best as well.

"I want to keep that in my mind and not think about those stupid fans who put some darkness on top of what Argentina achieved on and off the field. This is the dark side of the Argentina World Cup [win]."

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