Paul Merson has called out goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for showing “a lack of class” during Argentina’s World Cup celebrations.
Martinez helped the South American country win the showpiece tournament in Qatar.
The 30-year-old was given the Golden Glove following his penalty shootout heroics against the Netherlands in the quarter-final and then versus France in the final.
He decided to make a crude gesture with the trophy in front of the millions watching, for some bizarre reason.
The strange behaviour continued into Argentina’s celebrations.
In the dressing room following the win, Martinez called for a minute’s silence for France superstar Kylian Mbappe, who literally scored four times against the former Arsenal goalkeeper in the final.
And during Argentina’s open-top bus tour in Buenos Aires, Martinez decided to hold a doll with Mbappe’s face on it. As I say, it was very bizarre behaviour.
Lots of pundits and fans have criticised Martinez for being a bit weird, and Merson has jumped on the bandwagon.
The Arsenal legend says Martinez “showed a lack of class” and his antics have made him think the Gunners sold him in 2020 because of his “attitude”.
Merson wrote for the Daily Star: “Emiliano Martinez mocking Kylian Mbappe during Argentina’s World Cup celebrations showed a lack of class.
“You’re talking about one of the greatest players in the world – what do you want him to do, laugh and joke when he loses the biggest game in football?
“I’m not a huge lover of Martinez, people say he’s a great goalkeeper, he did make great saves in Qatar but I’m not his biggest fan.
“Prior to the tournament, his best football was played during lockdown with Aston Villa.
“Arsenal obviously saw something when they let him go as they weren’t exactly rolling in world-class goalkeepers.
“Martinez was ripping it up at the time but they still decided to sell and keep Bernd Leno. You wonder if that kind of attitude was the reason.
“That said he’s a World Cup winner and was a massive part of it, so you have to take your hat off to him.”
From our very own Mailbox to former Scotland international turned pundit Graeme Souness condemning Martinez, he has certainly been the main topic of discussion following Argentina’s success this winter.
Lionel Messi becoming the undisputed greatest of all time has also been spoken about, but Martinez pretending the Golden Glove trophy was a d**k before holding that Mbappe doll has nabbed the headlines.
Messi became the first player to win the Golden Ball for the second time after he scored seven goals at the World Cup.
The GOAT debate has been relentless in recent weeks, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo going through a midlife crisis.
Ronaldo is currently a free agent after leaving Manchester United last month and is expected to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr with no European clubs interested in signing him.
READ MORE: Manchester City show their lack of ‘class’ against Liverpool and Mbappe reacts to Martinez