World Cup: Kylian Mbappe insists he’s ‘not bothered’ by Emiliano Martinez’s goading celebrations

Kylian Mbappe has insisted he’s ‘not bothered’ by Emiliano Martinez’s continued taunts following Argentina’s World Cup triumph over France.

Martinez, who was Argentina’s hero in the penalty shootout, has been goading Mbappe following the Qatar showpiece, which saw the Aston Villa goalkeeper hold a baby doll with the PSG star’s face on it during a open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires last week.

To make matters worse, Martinez held the Mbappe doll aloft while stood next to the 24-year-old’s PSG team-mate Lionel Messi. This also followed Martinez brutally mocking Mbappe during Argentina’s dressing room celebrations by calling for a minute’s silence for the French striker. It came even though the 30-year-old was seen as one of the first people to console Mbappe following France’s gut wrenching defeat.

Kylian Mbappe (right) insists he is ‘not bothered’ by Emiliano Martinez’s celebrations (left)

Mbappe (right) and Martinez (left) pose for a photo after winning their World Cup awards

And while talk surrounding the pair’s rivalry has generated plenty of discussion in the aftermath of the World Cup, Mbappe has dismissed Martinez’s actions by claiming he’s not bothered by them.

‘The celebrations, they’re not my problem,’ Mbappe told reporters when asked about Martinez’s actions following PSG’s 2-1 win over Strasbourg, as reported by RMC Sport. 

‘I don’t waste any energy on such futile things. What’s important for me is to give the best of myself for my club, and we’re looking forward for Leo (Messi) to turn to continue scoring and winning matches.’

Emiliano Martinez mocked Kylian Mbappe after Argentina’s World Cup triumph on Sunday by calling for a minute’s silence for the Frenchman as his side partied in their dressing room

Mbappe, who scored a 95th-minute penalty to win the game for PSG on Wednesday night, couldn’t help but make a pointed jab at Martinez by claiming Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi was a ‘good sportsman’ – suggesting Martinez was not.

‘I talked with him (Messi) after the match (World Cup), I congratulated him,’ Mbappe added. ‘It was a life’s goal for him, for me as well, but I failed, so you must always remain a good sportsman.

‘Personally, I will never get over it (losing the final). But my club is not responsible for this failure of our team, (so) I’ve tried to return with the most positive energy possible.’

Following the final in Qatar, Martinez and Mbappe were all smiles when they were pictured together as Golden Glove and Golden Boot winners – alongside Golden Ball winner Messi and Young Player of the Tournament Enzo Fernandez. 

Martinez risked annoying France fans more when he celebrated a missed penalty by dancing

Martinez was also seen consoling Mbappe after France’s brutal World Cup defeat, but the Villa keeper later taunted him 

But since the pair departed the Lusail Stadium turf, Martinez has seemingly had it in for the French star.

It is most likely related to the PSG forward’s comments six months before the tournament. Mbappe said: ‘The advantage we have in Europe is that we play among ourselves with high-level matches all the time, such as the Nations League.

‘When we arrive at the World Cup, we are ready, where Brazil and Argentina do not have this level in South America. Football is not as advanced as in Europe. That’s why at the last World Cups, it’s always the Europeans who win.’

Martinez responded to the claims ahead of the final and said: ‘He said that the level of South America is lower than the European level because he did not play there.

Mbappe scored on his return to PSG, winning them the game with a 95th-minute penalty

Mbappe marked his return with a goal and helped extend their lead at the top to eight points

‘If you do not have the experience then it is difficult to comment, but nothing was wrong with what he said. They know we are a world class team and they respect us for that.’

The Argentine goalkeeper – who started dancing when Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni missed his penalty – also made a lewd gesture when he was awarded Golden Glove trophy. 

He was pictured making a rude gesture with the gong as he held it over his private parts.

Martinez has since explained that he did it because French fans were booing him during Argentina’s thrilling final win.