A fortnight later, the world champion goalkeeper and his finalist counterpart met again in a football stadium.
Hugo Lloris, holder with Tottenham during the reception of Aston Villa this Sunday, shook hands with the whimsical Argentinian in the corridors of the London enclosure, a few seconds before entering the green rectangle.
The Argentinian, who returned to training this week, is on the bench.
It was Emiliano Martinez who held out his hand first in front of the tricolor doorman, his face closed, focused on this match of the 18th day of the Premier League.
The most capped player in the history of the France team responded favorably, accompanying his handshake with a wink.
A courteous sequence, if not warm.
Hugo Lloris and Emiliano Martinez 🤝#TOTAVL |
#PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/gE1P7pjTjH
- CANAL + Foot (@CanalplusFoot) January 1, 2023
Their reunion was closely scrutinized after the many escapades of the Albiceleste goalkeeper after the planetary title gleaned by Argentina in Qatar, at the expense of the Blues.
In addition to his gravelly gesture made on the ceremonial podium of Lusail Stadium after receiving his trophy for best goalkeeper of the tournament, he had distinguished himself by his numerous mocking outings aimed at French players.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Emiliano MartĂnez, hero of the Argentines, "vulgar clown" for the rest of the world
In the Argentinian locker room, he asked his teammates for a minute of silence for Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick in this lost final.
Finally, a few days later, in the double-decker bus parading through the streets of Buenos Aires, he appeared with an unflattering doll bearing the image of the Parisian striker.