Emiliano Martinez Booed by PSG Fans in Paris \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was met with loud boos and jeers from PSG fans during the Champions League quarterfinal in Paris. The reaction stemmed from his controversial celebrations after Argentina’s World Cup win over France in 2022. Martinez remained calm and even made a key early save during the match.
Martinez Booed by PSG Fans – Quick Looks
- PSG fans jeered Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during warmups.
- Reaction tied to Argentina’s World Cup win over France in 2022.
- Martinez famously mocked Kylian Mbappé after the final in Qatar.
- Fans in the Auteuil section whistled and hurled insults.
- Martinez stayed composed, stretching without acknowledging the crowd.
- He made an early save against Ousmane Dembele in the match.
- His pre-match arrival included a hat with a rooster emblem.
- Tensions remain high between French fans and the Argentine keeper.
Deep Look
When Emiliano Martinez stepped onto the pitch at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, the reception was as fierce as it was expected. The Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper was met with loud, hostile jeers from Paris Saint-Germain fans, reigniting long-standing tensions tied to one of the most emotionally charged moments in modern football: the 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar.
As Martinez emerged for his pre-match warm-up before the first leg of Aston Villa’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against PSG, the Auteuil section of the stadium erupted in whistles, boos, and verbal insults. While the goalkeeper is no stranger to controversy, this return to Paris marked a highly symbolic and emotional encounter for fans still smarting from Argentina’s dramatic victory over France.
Martinez stood unfazed. As fans let their frustration fly, he calmly went about his stretching routine, ignoring the storm around him. His stoicism on the pitch mirrored the ice-cold composure he displayed during the infamous 2022 World Cup final, when he played a decisive role in leading Argentina to glory—at the expense of the host nation’s pride.
That final in Qatar was etched into football history, not just for the quality of the match itself but for the storm that followed. Martinez was the goalkeeping hero for Argentina, making a crucial last-minute save in extra time and then dominating the penalty shootout. But while his on-field performance was widely praised, his post-match antics ignited a firestorm, especially in France.
After receiving the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Martinez shocked many by holding the trophy in front of his groin in a crude gesture on live television. That display sparked immediate backlash. But things escalated further during Argentina’s locker room celebrations, where Martinez was seen mocking France’s star forward, Kylian Mbappé, chanting and ridiculing the player who had scored a historic hat-trick in the final.
The situation only intensified when, during Argentina’s open-top victory parade in Buenos Aires, Martinez was spotted holding a doll with Mbappé’s face taped to it. What might have been seen as light-hearted banter in some football cultures was viewed in France as deeply disrespectful, not only to Mbappé but to the French team and its fans.
That sense of betrayal and anger has lingered ever since. So when Martinez returned to French soil for a high-stakes European fixture, PSG supporters were ready. The pre-match hostility wasn’t merely about club rivalry—it was personal, national, and emotional.
The drama only deepened when Martinez arrived in Paris on Tuesday wearing a custom cap featuring a rooster, the iconic emblem of France’s national identity. The hat also displayed symbols representing trophies he has won with Argentina, including the World Cup. Whether this was a calculated provocation or coincidence, fans and commentators alike interpreted it as Martinez pouring more fuel on a fire that had never quite gone out.
Despite the high-pressure atmosphere, Martinez showed no signs of intimidation. Early in the match, he reminded the crowd—and perhaps his critics—of the talent that made him a global star. In a key moment, he launched into a full-stretch save to deny Ousmane Dembele, diving to his right to stop a powerful angled half-volley. The save didn’t silence the crowd, but it did reinforce why Martinez is regarded as one of the top shot-stoppers in the world.
This match is part of Aston Villa’s first Champions League quarterfinal in decades, and Martinez’s role as a senior leader on the squad is critical. While much of the media attention focused on the off-field drama, the Argentine keeper remains laser-focused on the task at hand: pushing Villa further into European football’s elite.
Meanwhile, the friction between Martinez and French supporters is unlikely to fade soon. His performances—especially in Paris—will continue to be measured not just in saves, but in symbols. The doll, the trophy gesture, and the rooster cap have all added layers of narrative tension that elevate this tie far beyond the usual football rivalry.
Martinez has never shied away from controversy. His personality—equal parts defiant and charismatic—has drawn both admiration and condemnation. In Argentina, he’s seen as a passionate, loyal player who brought the nation its long-awaited third World Cup. In France, he’s remembered as a sore winner who went too far. In between, football fans around the world continue to debate where the line is between passion and provocation.
As the Champions League progresses, Martinez’s presence will remain under the spotlight, especially if Aston Villa manages to knock PSG out of the competition. Such a result would undoubtedly deepen the scars left by Qatar 2022—and reinforce the legend, or infamy, of Emiliano Martinez in the eyes of the French faithful.
For now, he remains the antagonist in a football saga that refuses to fade.
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