PARIS: the French striker Kylian Mbappe ignored the Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinezafter the World Cup final, saying he hadn’t ‘wasted energy on such futile things’ as he awaited the return of Paris Saint Germain team-mate Lionel Messi.
Mbappe became the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final as he brought his country back into the game with a brace late in the second half and an extra-time penalty which still wasn’t enough as Argentina took it away in a shootout.
During Argentina’s jubilant return, a group of fans set fire to a makeshift coffin lid adorned with a cross and a picture of Mbappe. Martinez grabbed a toy baby with Mbappe’s face on it during an open top bus parade in the capital on December 23.
“Celebrations are not my problem. I don’t waste energy on such futile things,” Mbappe told reporters after converting an extra-time penalty to give PSG a 2-1 victory over Strasbourg in their first Ligue 1 match after the World Cup final.
“What’s important to me is giving my best for my club, and we’re looking forward to Leo (Messi) coming back to keep scoring and winning games.”
Leaders PSG are now eight points clear of second-placed Lens, who travel to Nice later on Thursday.
Asked about World Cup-winning Argentina captain Messi who will return to the Paris club after the New Year, Mbappe said he congratulated him after the final.
“It was a life goal for him, for me too, but I failed, so you always have to remain a good sportsman,” he said.
Coach Aston Villa Unai Emery said on Friday he would speak to Martinez about the keeper’s attitude during World Cup celebrations on his return to the Midlands club.
Mbappe became the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final as he brought his country back into the game with a brace late in the second half and an extra-time penalty which still wasn’t enough as Argentina took it away in a shootout.
During Argentina’s jubilant return, a group of fans set fire to a makeshift coffin lid adorned with a cross and a picture of Mbappe. Martinez grabbed a toy baby with Mbappe’s face on it during an open top bus parade in the capital on December 23.
“Celebrations are not my problem. I don’t waste energy on such futile things,” Mbappe told reporters after converting an extra-time penalty to give PSG a 2-1 victory over Strasbourg in their first Ligue 1 match after the World Cup final.
“What’s important to me is giving my best for my club, and we’re looking forward to Leo (Messi) coming back to keep scoring and winning games.”
Leaders PSG are now eight points clear of second-placed Lens, who travel to Nice later on Thursday.
Asked about World Cup-winning Argentina captain Messi who will return to the Paris club after the New Year, Mbappe said he congratulated him after the final.
“It was a life goal for him, for me too, but I failed, so you always have to remain a good sportsman,” he said.
Coach Aston Villa Unai Emery said on Friday he would speak to Martinez about the keeper’s attitude during World Cup celebrations on his return to the Midlands club.
