'It should never have come out' - Emiliano Martinez explains Argentina's World Cup taunts aimed at Kylian Mbappe

• Martinez led chant mocking Mbappe
• Called for minute of silence for France star
• Says no offence was meant by song

WHAT HAPPENED? Martinez was leading the celebrations in the Argentina dressing room with a chant calling for "a minute of silence" for Mbappe after his team's World Cup success over France in the final in Qatar.

WHAT THEY SAID: "It's a locker room thing," he said to France Football about the chants. "It should never have come out. When France beat us in 2018, I remember there were chants about Messi [involving N'Golo Kante]. Same thing, if a team beats Brazil, they'll be singing about Neymar.

"There's nothing personal against Mbappe. I respect him a lot. If people sing about him or Neymar, it's because they are top players. After the final, I told him that it was a pleasure to play against him and that he almost won the match on his own... I had confirmation that he has immense talent. When Messi retires, I am sure Kylian will win many Ballon d'Or awards."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mbappe and Martinez were two of the star performers in the World Cup final, with the France striker scoring a hat-trick in the 3-3 extra-time draw. Martinez, meanwhile, pulled off some incredible saves to keep his team level and saved Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout, which Argentina won 4-2.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ? The Argentina hero is back in domestic action with Aston Villa and will come up against Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.