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Tag: fifa world cup

  • Jenni Hermoso requires ‘exemplary measures’ in opposition to Spanish FA chief over kiss

    Spain’s Jenni Hermoso has known as for “exemplary measures” to be taken in opposition to Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales following his unsolicited kiss on her lips after the crew’s victory within the Women’s World Cup, the FUTPRO union mentioned on Wednesday.

    The incident – which occurred as Rubiales was presenting the gamers with their gold medals after they beat England 1-0 within the remaining on Sunday – sparked outrage inside and out of doors Spain and many individuals, together with authorities ministers, demanded his resignation.

    “My union FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and have taken over as my interlocutors on this matter.” Hermoso mentioned in a joint assertion launched by the union and her company.

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    “We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”

    FUTPRO will meet subsequent Monday with Spain’s second deputy chief Yolanda Diaz to make sure the actions of Rubiales are “duly sanctioned”.

    Rubiales, who initially known as his critics “idiots”, issued a video apology late on Monday, but it surely didn’t quell the uproar.

  • WATCH: Passengers hooked by Australia’s victory after 20-penalty thriller at Women’s World Cup

    As Australia edged France on penalty kicks on Saturday to achieve the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the primary time, followers in all places had been hooked by the drama. Clips went viral on social media exhibiting followers catching the motion by the a whole lot at public screenings in Australia.

    Meanwhile, a clip going viral on social media web site X, previously referred to as Twitter, confirmed a row of passengers on a flight tuning into the shootout motion on the tiny screens in entrance of their seats.

    Some of those stadium scenes from across the nation when #Matildas received: MCG (Thread) #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/kdo7kbaIs4

    — Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) August 12, 2023

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    An enormous roar went up within the airplane as Australia wrapped up the title.

    That second for girls’s sport ❤️⚽️👑🦘 pic.twitter.com/vCgv9m4vxM

    — Jacqueline Felgate (@Jacquifelgate) August 12, 2023

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    Cortnee Vine took Australia’s tenth penalty from the spot and calmly transformed to offer the Matildas a 7-6 win within the shootout after the quarterfinal match completed 0-0 after regulation and additional time.

    The Australians missed two earlier possibilities to clinch the dramatic shootout however finally it didn’t matter as they ended an extended curse for match hosts. The Australians turned the one group apart from the United States to advance previous the quarterfinals of a Women’s World Cup because the host nation.

    Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved the Matildas within the sport in additional time and made a string of clutch saves within the shootout — earlier than and after lacking along with her personal try that would have sealed the win.

    “I’m just speechless right now to be honest,” Arnold mentioned, including that the missed shot was “incredibly disappointing” however the eventual win was “unreal.”

    “I could have won the game for the girls and I missed it, but the way they rallied around me and just kept me in it,” she mentioned. “At the end of the day it’s my job to keep the ball out of the net and thankfully I could do that for them.”

  • Australia pulling for Matildas to advance in Women’s World Cup. Only 1 host has ever received title.

    Australia will attempt to keep away from the host staff curse by avoiding elimination within the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup.

    The Matildas have co-hosted this event with New Zealand, however the Football Ferns didn’t advance out of group play. Australia remains to be enjoying and faces France on Saturday in Brisbane, Australia, for a spot within the semifinals.

    But event hosts have all the time struggled to make it previous the quarterfinals, beginning with China within the inaugural 1991 event, then Sweden in 1995, Germany in 2011, Canada in 2015 and eventually France in 2019.

    France was eradicated by the United States in entrance of 45,000 spectators in Paris, and the sting carried with Les Blues for fairly awhile.

    Aside from the United States, which received the 1999 event in America, all different World Cup hosts have didn’t advance previous the quarterfinals.

    France can now kick Australia out of its personal event, and French coach Herve Renard stated his gamers are conversant in the stress that faces the Matildas.

    “We know exactly what we’re in for,” Renard stated. “The host nation, we all know that that may be a superb or unhealthy factor. This is what the French staff went via in 2019. It might be vastly disappointing because it was for France once they have been knocked out.

    “We’re hoping to put Australia through exactly what France went through when they were the host country in 2019.” Australia might have famous person Sam Kerr at full power after she missed all of group play with a calf harm, and solely performed the ultimate 10 minutes of Australia’s quarterfinal win over Denmark.

    The Matildas have additionally been enjoying in entrance of huge crowds, together with greater than 75,000 in Sydney for the victory over Denmark.

    “I think that Sydney properly ramped things up,” stated defender Alanna Kennedy. “We really felt the energy from the crowd.” Added 20-year-old defender Mary Fowler: “It’s amazing, especially once the games have finished, when you can really see the size of the crowds that have turned up to watch you.” Australia has by no means superior out of the World Cup quarterfinals in three earlier makes an attempt, so a debut within the semifinals is on the road. Australia beat France simply final month in a 1-0 warmup forward of the event — the one loss Les Blues has suffered whereas successful 16 of 18 matches this 12 months.

    France is making an attempt to keep away from being eradicated within the quarterfinals for the third consecutive World Cup. France was eradicated by Germany in 2015 and the United States 4 years in the past. A win over Australia would put France into the semifinals for the second time ever, however first time since 2011.

    France was a bit underwhelming in its World Cup opener, a scoreless draw in opposition to Jamaica. But the fifth-ranked staff on this planet cruised into the quarterfinals by serving to to remove Brazil whereas outscoring its opponents 12-4 within the final three video games.

    ENGLAND-COLOMBIA

    Colombia is the over-achiever of the Women’s World Cup and at twenty fifth on this planet, it’s the lowest-ranked staff nonetheless enjoying.

    But the Superpoderosas are not any fluke and knocked off two-time champion Germany in group play, then beat Jamaica within the knockouts to maneuver into the quarterfinals for the primary time in staff historical past.

    Only 4 years in the past, Colombia’s staff didn’t qualify for the World Cup. Colombia additionally missed the event in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

    To make it to the semifinals — already they’re the one South American staff nonetheless enjoying — the Colombians should beat European champion England at Stadium Australia in Sydney. It would be the greatest worldwide stage thus far for the Colombians, who’ve captured their house nation.

    “These warriors have us dreaming. Come on Colombia we are with you,” Colombia males’s star Luis Díaz posted on social media after the ladies’s knockout spherical victory.

    The Colombians are led by 18-year-old sensation Linda Caicedo, a wide-smiling rising star for Real Madrid who has already efficiently battled most cancers. Caicedo was identified with ovarian most cancers at 15, and he or she’s had well being issues on this event: she was handled for what Colombia known as exhaustion no less than twice this event, however performed the whole thing of the staff’s final two matches.

    “What Linda is doing for me and also every Colombian player, she’s our reference, she’s a symbol,” stated Ana Maria Guzman, one other 18-year-old on the Colombian squad. “She’s a player that has proven that dreams can be achieved, and you have to work for that.” Colombia received’t be a pushover for England, a staff that hasn’t discovered any consistency but on this event however remains to be a FanDuel betting favourite, and received all three of its group-stage video games.

    England was underwhelming in an opening-game win over Haiti, misplaced star participant Keira Walsh in opposition to Denmark, went to a wholly new formation in opposition to China, after which misplaced famous person Lauren James to a two-game suspension.

    James earned a crimson card in England’s knockout spherical win over Nigeria when she violently tackled an opponent, then stepped on her. The motion noticed James kicked out of the sport that England received on penalty kicks, after which banned for 2 extra matches.

    James, who has scored three objectives for England within the event, apologized.

    “Obviously she’s disappointed with what happened,” England ahead Beth England stated. “It was a split second, emotional moment that happened. We’ve got around her. It is good that she’s acknowledged that and put her apology out.” England veteran Lucy Bronze stated the staff has been examined in a number of methods this event and has responded each time.

    “Everything that has been thrown at us, we’ve dealt with and moved forward,” she stated. “I don’t see many other teams who’ve had that adversity and if they had, I don’t think they’ve managed to overcome the way we have. At the same time, we are not happy with our performances.”

  • Netherlands beats South Africa 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup

    Netherlands superior to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 win over South Africa.

    Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn scored in every half on the Sydney Football Stadium to safe the 2019 runners-up a spot within the final eight.

    But South Africa, one of many shock groups of the event, gave the Dutch some nervous moments, forcing goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar right into a string of saves to maintain Thembi Kgatlana at bay.

    Netherlands misplaced to the U.S. staff within the World Cup last 4 years in the past and appear like contenders once more after ending above the Americans in Group E.

    South Africa had already exceeded expectations by advancing to the knockout stage for the primary time after its dramatic 3-2 win over Italy in its last group recreation.

    But targets from Roord within the ninth minute and Beerensteyn within the 68th, after an error from keeper Kaylin Swart, ended its unlikely run.

    Netherlands went near taking the lead simply earlier than Roord’s purpose when Esmee Brugts swung in a curling shot that Swart needed to push over the bar. Roord struck from the ensuing nook.

    Sherida Spitse’s cross was headed towards purpose by Lieke Martens, which pressured Swart into motion once more. But from her save, the ball looped within the air and Roord headed over the road from shut vary to attain her fourth purpose of the event.

    Danielle van de Donk was near extending the lead however was denied by the toes of Swart from contained in the field, and Kgatlana examined Van Domselaar as South Africa confirmed its risk on the break.

    Kgatlana got here nearer nonetheless when via on purpose simply earlier than the halftime, however couldn’t discover a well beyond Van Domselaar. South Africa ended the half the stronger as Kgatlana repeatedly burst past the Netherlands protection.

    Its response to going behind was much more spectacular, contemplating it needed to cope with accidents to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbane within the first half.

    Netherlands regained management after the restart and the Dutch thought they’d doubled their lead when Martens turned and transformed within the 54th. But their celebrations had been lower quick when it was dominated out on VAR overview for offside.

    South Africa provided little risk because it struggled to get possession and Netherlands scored its second after an error from Swart. Beerensteyn’s weak shot ought to have been simply caught by Swart, however she allowed it to squirm out of her management and over the road.

    Just as within the first half, Netherlands’ purpose sparked a response from the South African gamers and Linda Motlhalo was denied when Van Domselaar pushed her low effort around the publish.

    The solely unfavourable for Netherlands was a yellow card for Van de Donk, who will now miss the quarterfinal match in opposition to Spain.

  • Argentina’s quest for first World Cup win goes on

    Argentina stay decided to get their maiden World Cup win at this event regardless of letting slip in all probability their finest likelihood of doing so in a 2-2 draw with Group G rivals South Africa on Thursday.

    The South Americans will not less than go into their closing group match towards Sweden in Hamilton subsequent Wednesday with momentum after scoring two targets within the final 20 minutes to come back again from a 2-0 deficit towards Banyana Banyana.

    Atletico Madrid midfielder Estefania Banini had mentioned earlier than travelling to New Zealand that the Albiceleste knew that they had no likelihood of emulating their males by lifting the World Cup, however they’d make historical past with their first win.

    “We are sad that we are still not able to make history, we know that we have to correct things,” Argentina coach informed reporters.

    “These two video games are a part of the method, to know how one can play towards the champions of Africa or powerhouese Italy. It’s a part of the journey and we’ll attempt to enhance.

    “Against Sweden, we are going for the three points despite their strength and history.”

    After a loss to Italy of their opening match, Argentina face an uphill activity to progress out of the group and into the final 16 for the primary time.

    Landing a primary victory of their twelfth World Cup fixture may be simpler mentioned than achieved towards the Swedes, who’re ranked third on the planet and among the many favourites to win the event.

    Portanova mentioned he was happy with the spirit his gamers confirmed in combating again to keep away from defeat towards South Africa and mentioned that will stand them in good stead towards Sweden.

    “I admire the courage of these players, their constant fight, their willingness to grow. It was exciting to see them searching for a result,” Portanova added.

    “They went for it with pride, feeling the colours of the shirt. We’re going to play the best game we can to get those points.”

  • Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0 for first World Cup win

    Portugal’s Telma Encarnacao scored one purpose and arrange the opposite in a 2-0 win over fellow Women’s World Cup debutants Vietnam, sending the Southeast Asian aspect out of the match at Waikato Stadium on Thursday.

    Portugal are third in Group E with three factors and can face the U.S. of their remaining group sport in Auckland whereas Vietnam, but to attain or choose up a degree, tackle the Netherlands in Dunedin. Both matches will probably be performed on Tuesday.

    The U.S. are degree on 4 factors with the Netherlands however prime the desk on purpose distinction after the groups drew 1-1 earlier on Thursday.

    Portugal coach Francisco Neto made seven adjustments to the workforce that misplaced 1-0 to the Netherlands of their Group E opener and the choice paid off as first-half targets from Encarnacao and Francisca Nazareth earned them a primary ever World Cup win.

    Neto will probably be thrilled with Thursday’s completed efficiency as Portugal dazzled below the floodlights – a stark distinction to their struggling first show – though the scoreline didn’t mirror their dominance.

    Encarnacao swept Portugal in entrance after seven minutes with a sensible first-time end from Lucia Alves’ cross earlier than turning supplier for Nazareth, who fired the ball previous goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh within the twenty first minute.

    Only 11 locations separate the 2 groups on the planet rankings, with Portugal sitting larger at 21, however the contest was one-sided and the Europeans had been firmly on prime all through with 5 makes an attempt heading in the right direction within the first half alone.

    They couldn’t add extra gloss to the outcome, nonetheless, as Kim Thanh, who helped limit holders the United States to a few targets in Vietnam’s opening defeat, was as soon as once more key in making certain they didn’t concede greater than two.

    However, regardless of Kim Thanh’s efforts, Vietnam struggled to create probabilities and managed just one shot heading in the right direction within the match when Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy drew a save from Patricia Morais simply earlier than the break

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Parity, greater area imply there could possibly be surprises at showpiece occasion

    There could possibly be some some surprises on the Women’s World Cup.

    Sure, the U.S. remains to be thought-about dominant, and people elite European groups have developed much more with the rise of aggressive golf equipment. Then there’s Brazil, which at all times appears on the verge of a breakout.

    But an expanded area of 32 groups on the match beginning Thursday in Australia and New Zealand means extra gamers will see the worldwide highlight — and so they little doubt need to show they belong.

    Consider Japan.

    Back in 2011, Japan wasn’t anticipated to make the semifinals, not to mention the championship match. But the Japanese, reeling from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated their nation earlier that 12 months, rallied and beat the Americans on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and within the course of grew to become the primary Asian group to win soccer’s prime prize.

    That was the final Women’s World Cup that wasn’t gained by the United States. The No. 1-ranked Americans purpose to make it three in a row.

    U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski is properly conscious that different nations are catching up. He pointed to Zambia’s exhibition victory over Germany within the run-up to the match.

    “The top 10 have always been there. The world that is catching up is Wales, is Vietnam, is Zambia, Portugal. These are these are the countries that are catching up. The 7-0, 8-0 games are gone. And we can see that Germany plays against Zambia, loses 3-2. Those games are going to happen,” Andonovski mentioned. “And that’s what we are preparing ourselves for, so we don’t run into into a game like that with the mentality that it’s gonna be easy. No game is gonna be easy. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of us.”

    Canada is taken into account amongst these prime groups, notably after profitable the Olympic gold medal at Tokyo. But coach Bev Priestman prompt that rising parity means there are not any givens.

    “It could really throw up some surprises just on tournament football, you can lose group-stage games and then go on to win the thing. So yeah, it’s it’s tighter than it’s ever been,” Priestman mentioned.

    There are eight groups on debut on the match, together with Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Portugal and Philippines. While most stand little probability towards the likes of France or Sweden, there’s at all times that hope.

    And there’s hope that the worldwide stage will assist push federations to spend money on extra for the groups that don’t historically have assist.

    “A lot of federations are slowly getting into the trend of being better,” South Africa ahead Thembi Kgatlana mentioned. “A lot of those girls in those countries have been professional athletes, so they have an idea of what it means to be a professional. And when they go back to the respective national teams, they are able to also help and say `Hey, we need this, we need that.’ It kind of forces the national teams to also adapt into the trends of changing and becoming better.”

    MORE THAN A GAME

    Players are properly conscious that the World Cup offers them the platform to discuss inequity, human rights and an entire host of social points.

    At the World Cup closing 4 years in the past in France, followers chanted “Equal Pay!” in assist of the Americans’ struggle for equitable compensation to their male nationwide group counterparts. The gamers struck a contract that equalized pay final 12 months.

    Now different groups are becoming a member of the decision for higher pay and situations. A bunch of worldwide gamers, backed by the worldwide gamers affiliation FIFPRO, referred to as on FIFA to extend prize cash and guarantee that every participant on the match will get a share of these funds.

    As a outcome, all 736 gamers collaborating at this World Cup will every get at the least $30,000, an quantity that will increase the additional groups advances within the match. FIFPRO has vowed to make the cash will get to the gamers.

    The total fund for this World Cup is $152 million, masking prize cash, group preparation and funds to gamers’ golf equipment. That’s a 300% improve over the funds for the 24-team version in 2019, and 10 instances what it was in 2015.

    IT’S JUST A NUMBER

    It’s arduous to say who has had extra of an influence on girls’s soccer of their residence nations: Canada’s Christine Sinclair or Brazil’s Marta. Both gamers can be making their sixth look on the World Cup.

    Sinclair, 40, holds the worldwide scoring file, amongst each women and men, with 190 profession objectives. She’s performed in 323 video games for Canada.

    Marta, 37, a six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has scored 115 objectives for Brazil in 174 appearances. Marta is the match’s all-time main scorer with 17 objectives and can vie to be the primary participant to attain in six World Cups.

    They will not be the one gamers to make a sixth World Cup roster: Nigeria’s Onome Ebi, 40, is a few month older than Sinclair and is the oldest within the match.

    THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

    Casey Phair, an American-born ahead on South Korea’s squad, turned 16 on June 29 and is the youngest individual on a match roster. She’s one among 4 16-year-old gamers in World Cup squads.

    The United States boasts teenager Alyssa Thompson, who performs for Angel City within the National Women’s Soccer League. Just 18, she missed her highschool commencement due to soccer.

    A LOOK BACK

    The U.S. girls ran by means of a gauntlet of powerful groups — first host France within the quarterfinals after which England within the semis — earlier than beating Netherlands 2-0 within the closing to win the 2019 World Cup. Sweden defeated England within the third-place match.

    DETAILS, DETAILS

    The co-hosts are in motion on the match’s opening day, with New Zealand dealing with Norway in Auckland adopted by Australia towards Ireland in Sydney.

    The United States opens towards Vietnam on Saturday in Auckland, however due to the time distinction, viewers in North America will watch on Friday.

    The prime two groups from every of the eight teams will advance to the knockout stage, which begins on Aug. 5. The championship sport is ready for Aug. 20.

  • FIFA World Cup 2022 closing referee Marciniak to officiate Champions League summit battle

    By India Today Sports Desk: Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been picked to officiate the Champions League closing between Manchester City and Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10, following his earlier place as a result of the referee for the FIFA World Cup closing in December 2022.

    This appointment by UEFA marks a unusual achievement as Marciniak will now referee an important finals in every nationwide employees and European membership soccer all through the similar season. The 42-year-old acquired recognition of his coping with of Argentina’s World Cup victory over France in a penalty shootout in Doha, Qatar.

    Marciniak had beforehand officiated video video games involving every Champions League finalists by way of the knockout ranges. He oversaw Manchester City’s spectacular 4-0 overcome Real Madrid throughout the semi-finals and officiated Inter Milan’s goalless attract opposition to Porto throughout the Round of 16.

    2023 UEFA Champions League closing refereeing employees

    Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
    Assistants: Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz (every POL)
    Fourth official: Istvan Kovacs (ROM)
    Reserve assistant: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROM)
    VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
    Assistant VAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
    VAR Support: Marco Fritz (GER)

    UEFA moreover launched the referees for its three totally different finals. Anthony Taylor from England will oversee the Europa League closing between Sevilla and Roma on May 31 in Budapest, Hungary. Carlos del Cerro Grande of Spain, on the age of 47, will officiate his first European closing throughout the Europa Conference League battle between Fiorentina and West Ham on June 7 in Prague.

    Meanwhile, Cheryl Foster of Wales will referee the Women’s Champions League closing between Barcelona and Wolfsburg on June 3 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the place the entire match officers, in addition to video analysis specialist Massimiliano Irrati of Italy, will possible be girls.

    — ENDS —

  • While You Were Asleep: Lionel Scaloni extends his contract until 2026, Luis Alberto late winner powers Lazio into prime 4, Canada soccer prez Nick Bontis resigns

    Argentina World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni has prolonged his nation until the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the FA stated on Monday.

    The Argentina boss got here to the choice after assembly with AFA president Claudio Tapia in Paris. “Claudio Tapia and Lionel Scaloni met to close the extension of the contract as coach of the Senior Selection until 2026,” the AFA stated in an announcement.

    CONFIRMADO: Hay @lioscaloni para rato 😉

    ¡Seguimos! 💪🇦🇷#ScalonetaModoOn #TodosJuntos pic.twitter.com/4YM6R7ZGW8

    — 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) February 27, 2023

    “I am eternally grateful to the president of the AFA for giving me the opportunity to coach this wonderful national team,” Scaloni later within the day stated on receiving FIFA’s ‘The Best’ Awards ceremony, was named Best Coach of 2022.

    “I’m thankful for the players, those 26 who led us to glory. Without them we could not have achieved anything.”

    Lazio now has 45 factors two factors behind the Milan golf equipment

    A late winner from Luis Alberto on the Stadio Olimpico on Monday meant that Lazio take three factors in opposition to Sampdoria to maneuver into the Champions League spot in Seria A.

    The hosts now are fourth with 45 factors two factors behind the Milan golf equipment who’re stage on factors and one level above Roma. Napoli leads the league with 65 factors.

    Ciro Immobile earlier on within the recreation had a few possibilities however he missed. However, Alberto’s aim within the eightieth minute helped Lazio register a win.

    The aim triggered a roar of aid from the Stadio Olimpico crowd, with Sampdoria unable to create a response earlier than the ultimate whistle.

    The Genoa membership are second-from-bottom with 11 factors from 24 matches

    Soccer President resigned ongoing labour battle

    Canada Soccer President Nick Bontis resigned from his publish on Monday amidst the continued labour battle between the nation’s males’s and ladies’s groups and with the nationwide governing physique.

    “While I have been one of the biggest proponents of equalizing the competitive performance environment for our Women’s National Team, I will unfortunately not be leading this organization when it happens,” Bontis stated in an announcement.

    “I acknowledge that this moment requires change,” he added.

    Bontis was elected Canada Soccer president in November 2020, Under his ready management the boys’s soccer staff managed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    The Canadian girls’s staff just lately escalated their protest over pay fairness points once they wore purple shirts that learn “Enough is enough” forward of their opening match of the current SheBelievesCup.

  • When Lionel Messi retires, I’m positive Kylian Mbappe will win many Ballon d’Or awards: Emiliano Martinez

    Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was within the eye of the storm because of his antics after successful the World Cup particularly along with his taunting of French star Kylian Mbappe, lately stated that he didn’t goal 24-year-old in the course of the celebrations.

    Martinez was filmed carrying a doll with Mbappé’s face on it whereas standing alongside teammate Lionel Messi as Argentina paraded the trophy again residence.

    “I held it (doll) for like two minutes and I threw it away, that’s all. How can I make fun of Mbappe? He scored four past me. Four goals in a final! He must think I am his toy baby! I have huge respect for Mbappe,” the 30-year-old stated in an interview with France Football.

    Martinez, who additionally made a crude gesture after successful the Golden Glove award for finest goalkeeper, was additionally filmed mocking Mbappé within the crew dressing room after the sport.

    “It’s a locker room thing. It should never have come out. When France beat us in 2018, I remember there were chants about Messi [involving N’Golo Kante]. Same thing, if a team beats Brazil, they’ll be singing about Neymar,” he stated when requested about it.

    “There’s nothing personal against Mbappe. I respect him a lot. If people sing about him or Neymar, it’s because they are top players. After the final, I told him that it was a pleasure to play against him and that he almost won the match on his own. I had confirmation that he has immense talent. When Messi retires, I am sure Kylian will win many Ballon d’Or awards,” he added.