Former world champion described the celebration of ‘Dibu’ Martínez as “estú****”

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira considers the Aston Villa goalkeeper’s “stupid” celebration Emiliano Martinez marred the victory of Argentina in the World Cup final.

Martínez was one of the main architects of the title won against France on penalties. He made a saving grace against Randal Kolo Muani in extra time and then saved Kingsley Coman’s shot in the shootout.

But then the Albiceleste goalkeeper was seen making an obscene gesture after winning the gold glove for the best goalkeeper in the Qatari tournament.

Later, during Argentina’s victorious parade in Buenos Aires, he was seen holding a doll with its face covered by a photograph of star France striker Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick in the final.

“Some of the images I saw of the Argentine goalkeeper, I think they detract a bit from what Argentina achieved in the World Cup,” said Vieira, world champion with France in 1998.

“I think they didn’t really need that. Sometimes you can’t control people’s emotional decisions. But it was a stupid decision for Martinez to do that,” she added.

Martinez, 30, will return to Birmingham next week. There his coach Unai Emery is waiting for him with the intention of talking to him about his controversial behavior.

“When you feel a great emotion, sometimes it is difficult to control it,” Emery estimated in statements to reporters in England on Friday.

“I’ll talk to him next week about the celebrations. We are proud of him, he has won the World Cup with his national team and it is something incredible”, added the Spanish coach.