Kylian Mbappé has dismissed celebratory World Cup taunts directed at him by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, calling them “futile”.
Martinez called for a minute’s silence for Mbappé during his team’s dressing room celebrations in Qatar and later posed with a baby doll with the striker’s face stuck on to it during their parade in Buenos Aires.
Asked about the teasing after his first match back in France, Mbappé said: “The celebrations, they’re not my problem. 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 return to continue scoring and winning matches.”
Earlier this month, Mbappé became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since England’s Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966.
Despite his heroic efforts, France still lost to Argentina on penalties.
The 24-year-old says he spent “complicated hours” following the defeat, adding: “Personally, I will never get over it. But my club is not responsible for this failure of our team, so I’ve tried to return with the most positive energy possible.”
Speaking about his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate Messi, who is due to return to France on New Year’s Day following an extended break, Mbappé said: “I talked with him after the match, I congratulated him.
“It was a life’s goal for him, for me as well, but I failed, so you must always remain a good sportsman.
Mbappé won his first game back since the World Cup final, with PSG beating Strasbourg 2-1 on Wednesday.
Martinez will return to Aston Villa on Thursday, and the club’s manager, Unai Emery, has said he will be speaking to him about his post-match celebrations.
