Emi Martinez faces wrath of French followers towards PSG after provocative cap sparks uproar

Aston Villa’s return to the UEFA Champions League highlight was at all times going to be a difficult affair, particularly towards a Paris Saint-Germain aspect recent off eliminating Liverpool. However goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s pre-match antics added an additional layer of fireside to an already heated quarterfinal conflict.

Villa travelled to the Parc des Princes for the primary leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday, and whereas the 3-1 defeat was powerful, it was Emi Martinez who stole the pre-match headlines, for all of the mistaken causes within the eyes of PSG and French followers.

Martinez’s cap sparks controversy

Upon arriving in Paris, Martinez was noticed sporting a cap with the Argentina flag and 4 worldwide trophies that he has gained with the nationwide crew, together with the World Cup and two Copa Americas. The cap additionally featured an emblem of the French cockerel.

The picture, shared on Aston Villa’s official social media, was seen as a direct taunt in direction of France’s World Cup heartbreak in 2022, a match during which Martinez performed a key function with the gloves.

Dibu 💯 pic.twitter.com/7vbUy9kgNd

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 8, 2025

French media and followers didn’t take kindly to the gesture. Reminiscences of Martinez’s notorious taunts towards Kylian Mbappe and France after the 2022 FIFA World Cup closing nonetheless appear recent, together with his gesture with the Golden Glove award and the notorious child doll with Mbappe’s face throughout Argentina’s celebration parade.

Martinez booed by French followers

As anticipated, Martinez was greeted with boos proper from the second he stepped out of the tunnel on the Parc des Princes. The efficiency on the pitch didn’t assist Martinez’s case both. The Argentine was overwhelmed thrice in convincing trend by PSG strikers as Villa misplaced 3-1.

Regardless of the media storm, Aston Villa supervisor Unai Emery got here to Martinez’s protection. “He’s mature. He’s accountable. He’s getting higher at controlling his feelings. He is likely one of the greatest goalkeepers on the earth — he obtained the award for it right here in Paris.”

Midfielder Youri Tielemans additionally addressed the state of affairs earlier than the PSG conflict, downplaying the cap incident and calling on followers to maintain the criticism inside boundaries. “So long as it stays in soccer phrases, I don’t thoughts. He’s targeted, and he’s trying ahead to the sport,” he had stated.