Footage shows both Kylian Mbappe and France manager Didier Deschamps’ hilarious reaction to Emiliano Martinez’s World Cup final display.
The Aston Villa and Argentina shot-stopper picked up the award for the Yashin Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony last night.
He also was ranked 15th in the overall rankings, beating players such as Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
While being handed the trophy for the best keeper, Martinez was shown a short montage of some of his finest moments from the last year.
Kylian Mbappe was left speechless after a clip of Emi Martinez’s World Cup final heroics was shown last night
Martinez (L) claimed the Yashin Trophy after clinching the World Cup with Argentina in 2022
As expected, his display during the World Cup final against France featured in the reel.
With both sides level in extra-time, Martinez received a lot of plaudits for producing a sublime save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in the dying embers of the game.
The 31-year-old played a key role in the penalty shootout, saving Kingsley Coman’s spot kick.
As soon as the attendees were shown Martinez’s last gasp stop against Muani, the cameraman sneakily panned to Mbappe and Deschamps – with both appearing to be left speechless.
Mbappe looked lost for words while the France manager stared rather awkwardly into the camera.
Martinez proved to be an unpopular character last night after he was booed by France fans inside the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris as he walked onto the stage.
Didier Drogba, who led the awards ceremony had to stop fans from booing him, saying ‘please, please, respect’ in French, as a replay was shown of his epic save in the final.
Chants of ‘Mbappe’ were also heard from the crowd, after the goalkeeper had reportedly mocked the forward after the World Cup final.
France manager Didier Deschamps was also left in disbelief having to re-watch the last gasp save
Didier Drogba (L) was forced to intervene and prevent hecklers booing Emiliano Martinez
Martinez was joined on stage by his father Alberto Martinez after receiving the award
‘I’m full of emotion to have won this,’ he said after picking up the award.
‘Without my teammates at Aston Villa and in the Argentina national team, this wouldn’t have been possible – this moment in my career.’
It’s not the first time he’s been shortlisted for an award, with Martinez having also been nominated in 2021, where Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the victor.
And he beat a star studded list of names including Ederson, Aaron Ramsdale, Andre Onana, Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen to win the award.
Martinez was also a stand-out for Aston Villa last season, amassing 13 clean sheets in 37 league appearances, helping the club qualify for the Europa Conference League.
