Aston Villa coach Unai Emery has supported Emiliano Martinez goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.
Martinez angered French fans in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar when they helped Argentina win the Kingsley Coman.
He then unveiled a Kylian Mbappe glass during the success of his return home in Buenos Aires.
On Tuesday, he was dressed in a cup with a French pigeon alongside Argentina’s recent victories when he began his trip to Paris for the first quarter-finals at Park de Press.
Martinez’s latest work, under Microscope at a pre-match press conference with Emery, is likely to increase the heat of the 32-year-old before the meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
But Emery believes Martinez could react to the reaction, saying: “He’s mature. He’s responsible. He’s better than controlling his feelings. I worked with him at Arsenal before I get here at Aston Villa.
“I think it’s different from the time when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now he’s different.
“I think it’s mature,” he said. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper and now I’m talking to him. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world – he won the award here in Paris.
“Now look at football, look at the challenges you have and try to do all the things you get and the level you break. Try to control the feelings you bring to you,” Emery said.
“I really don’t care about him. I’m just here to play, whatever happens with EMI, on condition that he respects him in terms of football, I don’t care,” said his team-mate.
Martinez has seen Argentina’s four recent victories in the cup, the World Cup, the two Copa America and Fenalyssma, the Copa America winner and European champions, who won 3-0 in Italy in 2022.