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    Premier League is BACK: Eight days after World Cup final and 43 days after last game, the real competition returns

    PREMIER LEAGUE football is back after a six-week hiatus – and the fixtures will be coming thick and fast over the course of the next week.The English top flight – like its counterparts around the globe – paused in mid-November to allow the first-ever winter World Cup to take place.
    Arsenal return to action on Boxing Day five points clear at the top of the Premier League Christmas TreeCredit: AFP
    High-flying Newcastle will bid to maintain their push for Champions League football against LeicesterCredit: REX
    Manchester United hope to close the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Tottenham on the 27thCredit: GETTY
    Prem action resumes action with a Boxing Day bonanza.
    And there is plenty at stake for teams at both ends of the table.
    League leaders Arsenal will welcome West Ham to the Emirates and will look to maintain their five-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City.
    City could find themselves EIGHT points behind the Gunners by the time they play Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.

    The race for Champions League football will also take centre stage on Boxing Day, with Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea – third, fourth, sixth and eighth-placed – all in action.
    The quartet will face Brentford, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Bournemouth respectively.
    Fifth-placed Manchester United will bid to narrow the gap between themselves and Spurs with a win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
    Forest are currently 18th in the league with 13 points to their name after 15 matches but they are by no means cast adrift.
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    A defeat to United, however, and a victory for Everton over Wolves could quickly end the festive cheer at the City Ground.
    The Toffees’ clash with Wolves is one of the standout Boxing Day fixtures in the battle to beat the drop.
    In fact, it’s somewhat of a good-old fashioned relegation six-pointer.
    Frank Lampard’s troops are currently a solitary point above the drop zone with 14 points.
    Wolves, meanwhile, are rock bottom of the table with a mere ten points to their name.
    Wolves and Everton will take part in a Boxing Day six-pointerCredit: PA
    Defeat to Everton could prove to be a huge psychological blow to the Black County club.
    Even more so if fellow strugglers Southampton get a result.
    The Saints are two points ahead of Wolves and could breathe new life into their survival hopes with a win over Brighton.
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    It’s fitting there is so much on riding the first Prem fixtures following its first-ever World Cup-enforced hiatus.
    And if history is anything to go by, there’ll no doubt be plenty of pantomime thrills and spills for footy fans up and down the country to enjoy and lament. More

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    SunSport’s seven wonders and blunders of 2022 – the year of the GOAT, the Lioness, the cub, the cricket.. and a few rats

    IT was another huge year for sport, with the World Cup the final flourish in an exciting 12 months.Here, SunSport runs down the wonders and blunders of 2022.
    Lionel Messi celebrated as he finally won the World Cup he desperately cravedCredit: AP
    ON TOP OF THE WORLD
    IF great individuals make for great World Cups then — in pure footballing terms — Qatar 2022 was one of the best.
    Qatar was a hugely controversial choice of venue, due to Fifa corruption, human rights abuses, the deaths of countless migrant workers and the sheer weirdness of football’s greatest tournament being staged in a tiny nation with no footballing culture.
    Yet Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe — both employed by Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain — lit up the competition all the way to a classic final between Argentina and France.
    There, the greatest footballers of two different generations scored five of the six goals in an epic 3-3 draw before Argentina prevailed on penalties and handed Messi his crowning glory, a first World Cup at the age of 35.
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    Mbappe nabbed the Golden Boot away from Messi with the first World Cup final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966, taking his tournament tally to eight.
    But the maestro Messi helped himself to seven goals and while four of them were penalties, Harry Kane can agree that scoring spot-kicks at a World Cup is nothing to be sniffed at.
    YOUNG LIONS
    ENGLAND arrived at the World Cup on the back of a six-match winless streak — including a 4-0 drubbing by Hungary at Molineux which represented their worst home defeat in almost a century.
    So it was no mean feat that Gareth Southgate’s side should produce such thrilling displays on their way to a quarter-final defeat to France.
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    There were outstanding performances from younger players — Bukayo Saka’s double in the opening rout of Iran, Marcus Rashford’s brace in the walloping of Wales and Jude Bellingham’s barnstorming showing in the thrashing of Senegal.
    Yet, as so often, England’s fate rested on a penalty — captain Kane skying the most important spot-kick of his life and blowing the chance of taking the defending champions to extra-time.
    Still the mood was positive enough for Southgate to confirm he would remain in charge until Euro 2024 — by which time Saka, Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden will be nearer their peaks.
    England may have gone out in the World Cup quarter-finals but young guns like Bukayo Saka proved there’s plenty to look forward toCredit: PA
    HEROIC LIONESSES
    THE images are enduring, a lasting legacy is secured and the joy was unconfined.
    When Chloe Kelly ripped off her England shirt, twirled it around her head and cavorted around Wembley in a sports bra, after scoring the winner in the Euros final, it was the most uplifting moment of the sporting year.
    Kelly’s extra-time strike settled a tense, ultra- competitive final against Germany which not only secured a first major senior trophy for an England team since 1966 but also significantly raised the profile of women’s football in this country.
    For one glorious summer month, Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses were front and centre in the national sporting consciousness.
    From Beth Mead’s hat-trick against Norway to Georgia Stanway’s rocket against Spain to Alessia Russo’s saucy back-heeled goal in the semi-final against Sweden, the Lionesses were game-changers and Jill Scott even became Queen of the Jungle.
    …Not to mention Scott’s magnificent swearing at an opponent in the final — “F*** off, you f***ing p***k”.
    England won the Women’s European Championship in the summer as the nation roared on the LionessesCredit: PA
    REDS MISSED
    THEY came within six days of fulfilling the impossible dream of the Quadruple — yet Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool failed to lift either of the two biggest trophies in a week of drama and turmoil.
    After the Reds had clinched the Carabao and FA Cups — defeating Chelsea on penalties after goalless draws in both finals — they were left heartbroken by an astonishing Manchester City comeback on the final day of the Premier League season.
    Liverpool were running out of steam, towards the end of the campaign, continually falling behind and while they mounted a comeback to defeat Wolves 2-1, Pep Guardiola’s City roared back from two-down to defeat Aston Villa with an Ilkay Gundogan brace.
    It was City’s fourth title in five seasons, and a climax almost as memorable as that “Sergio Agueroooooooo!” moment against QPR a decade earlier.
    Liverpool were then beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final on a night marred by off-field chaos and dangerous levels of police incompetence at the Stade de France.
    Man City snatched the Premier Lrague title off Liverpool on a dramatic final dayCredit: PA
    SAU ABOUT THAT?
    IT was the year when Saudi sportswashing engulfed the sporting landscape like a tsunami.
    Nowhere more so than in golf, riven apart by the rebel LIV Tour, who captured a string of major names and drove the sport into an acrimonious civil war.
    When The Open arrived at St Andrews in July, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy led an impassioned defence of the Royal and Ancient status quo.
    But after Cameron Smith overhauled McIlroy to capture the Claret Jug, the mulleted Aussie soon confirmed that he too was taking Saudi blood money.
    Boxing has already succumbed to Saudi dosh — Anthony Joshua’s rematch defeat by Oleksandr Usyk was staged in the kingdom.
    And the early signs are that the Geordie Arabia revolution will soon see Newcastle winning football’s biggest prizes.
    Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua took place in the Middle East in a year of Saudi sportswashingCredit: Getty
    HAVIN’ A BAZBALL
    NEVER in sporting history has a change in leadership transformed a team so thoroughly as when captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum seized control of England’s Test cricketers.
    Hammered in the Ashes Down Under under their predecessors Joe Root and Chris Silverwood, England began the year engulfed by gloom.
    What came next was nothing less than revolution, an all-guns-blazing team determined to demolish age-old conventions and save the endangered wonder of Test cricket from extinction.
    This summer, England continually torpedoed records — chasing down mammoth totals in thrilling fashion, at an express run-rate — as New Zealand, India and South Africa were all defeated.
    Jonny Bairstow, England’s brightest star of the summer, then seemed to capture England’s daredevil approach by breaking his leg in three places while playing golf.
    A historic 3-0 series whitewash in Pakistan this month was the greatest achievement of the Stokes-McCullum regime so far.
    England are world champions in two of cricket’s three formats and the most exciting team ever to have played the oldest one. Next year’s Ashes will be unmissable.
    Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s ‘Bazball’ has reinvigorated Test cricket and potentially changed the format foreverCredit: Getty
    EDD’S DOWN
    THE controversial seven-year reign of Aussie pitbull Eddie Jones as England’s rugby boss was belatedly ended this month after his team managed just five wins from 13 matches in 2022.
    Jones, charismatic yet divisive, had long outstayed his welcome by the time the axe fell following a miserable Autumn international series.
    The little larrikin presided over a record-breaking winning streak and a magnificent World Cup semi-final victory to dethrone New Zealand in 2019.
    But ever since England failed to show up for the final against South Africa that year, the Jones regime has been on a downward spiral.
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    His successor, Steve Borthwick, has nine months to lift the mood before next autumn’s World Cup in France.
    With domestic rugby in turmoil after Worcester and Wasps plunged into administration and were kicked out of the top flight, our egg-chasing community has little cause for festive cheer.
    Eddie Jones was finally axed as England boss late in 2022Credit: Reuters More

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    Salt Bae slammed as ‘clown’ for gyrating in Insta video with World Cup star Robert Lewandowski in restaurant

    SALT Bae has been slammed as a “clown” for a resurfaced video with the World Cup star Robert Lewandowski.The celebrity chef has found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after storming the pitch after the World Cup final and pestering Lionel Messi for a selfie.
    Salt Bae can be seen gyrating back and forth as he serves Robert Lewandowski
    The celebrity chef lifts the meat in triumph as the player looks on
    The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was seen even touch the winning trophy – against strict regulations.
    FIFA was forced to make a humiliating admission that he should never have been on the pitch in the first place.
    But it’s not the first time the celebrity chef has tried the hog the limelight while rubbing shoulders with football stars.
    In a resurfaced Instagram video taken at his Nusr-et Steakhouse in Dubai in 2019, he can be seen gyrating back and forth while cutting steak for Bayern Munich and Barcelona star Lewandowski.
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    He eventually lifts the steak up triumphantly as the footballer looks in bemusement.
    But his behaviour has landed well among some of his followers with one writing: “What an idiotic restaurant clown.”
    Another said: “What does this guy do besides taking a ride on the success of famous people, can anyone tell me?”
    One follower made reference to a video of Salt Bae serving president of poverty stricken Venezuela Nicolas Maduro steak.
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    “The same clown who had made tricks for Venezuelan dictator Maduro,” they wrote.
    It comes as his followers have slammed an “uncomfortable” resurfaced Instagram video with Kylian Mbappe.
    Other resurfaced photos show Salt Bae gatecrashing Real Madrid’s Champions League winning party in 2018.
    After Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League in Kyiv, the chef was seen in video posing with Cristiano Ronaldo.
    Footage showed the chef pestering the Argentina squad as they celebrated their World Cup glory with their families after the tense shootout.
    In a series of videos posted on his own Instagram, he interrupted the likes of Angel di Maria, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez as they posed with the World Cup, leaving the trio looking awkward.
    He was seen grabbing hold of Lionel Messi by the shoulder at least twice as the baffled megastar tried to shrug him off.
    His persistence paid off as he finally got a selfie with the striker hailed the greatest of all time.
    FIFA is conducting an internal investigation to see how the chef got onto the pitch.
    The world football governing body’s boss Gianni Infantino even unfollowed Salt Bae in the wake of his shameful antics.
    The Turkish cook has courted a years-long friendship with Fifa president Infantino.
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    They have been pictured together several times, and the football chief has been gushing in his praise for the flamboyant Instagram star.
    However the bromance seems to be over today after he unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram. More

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    Family of Pele gather at hospital to be beside Brazilian World Cup legend at Christmas as his cancer worsens

    PELE’S family have gathered to be beside him in hospital for Christmas as his cancer worsens.His children have posted emotional snaps of themselves and the Brazil legend in following his latest health scare.
    Pele’s daughter shared an emotional snap of them from the hospital to InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@KELYNASCIMENTO
    Pele’s family pictured at the Sao Paulo hospital where he’s being cared forCredit: Instagram
    Pele’s son Edinho has also been to see his fatherCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Brazil legend Pele, 82, was admitted to hospital in late NovemberCredit: AFP
    The three-time World Cup winner has been battling colon cancer for over a yearCredit: AFP
    The 82-year-old has been battling colon cancer since September of last year.
    Doctors said this week his cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction.
    His daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture the family including his wife Marcia Aoki gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Instagram.
    In an emotional post she wrote: “Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family.
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    “The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send.”
    Earlier she posted a picture of her hugging the three times World Cup winner as his granddaughter could be seen in the background laying on a sofa.
    “We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. Another night together,” she wrote.
    She also included a video of her father sleeping in bed while the family spoke to him.
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    The entire football world has kept Pele in their thoughts and prayers.
    He has received several messages of support since his hospitalisation, including from the French star Kylian Mbappe, who called on followers to “pray for the King.”
    Kely said: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone.
    “Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”
    Pele’s son, Edinho, has also arrived at the hospital to show his support for his father.
    He posted a picture on Instagram of their hands holding each other, along with the emotional message: “Father… my strength is yours”.
    Despite being hospital-bound, Pele didn’t miss out on the sensational World Cup final between Argentina and France.
    He wrote on Instagram: “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way.
    “[Lionel] Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.
    Read More on The Sun
    “My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final.
    “What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.” More

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    Argentina release incredible Christmas advert as boy thanks ‘Santa Claus’ Lionel Messi for putting World Cup under tree

    ARGENTINA have released a brilliant Christmas advert celebrating their World Cup victory.The advert stars a boy opening his Christmas presents under the tree and receiving the World Cup trophy.
    ¡Gracias Papá Lionel! 🎅 El regalo más preciado ya está en casa 🏆¡Felicidades para todo el pueblo argentino! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/lobbHa1hNR— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) December 24, 2022

    The advert starts with a boy running down the stars on Christmas morningCredit: Twitter @argentina
    He runs to open his present under the treeCredit: Twitter @argentina
    As he opens the present, he reveals the World Cup trophyCredit: Twitter @argentina
    He kisses the trophy and thanks ‘Papa Lionel’ for the giftCredit: Twitter @argentina
    Lionel Messi captained Argentina to their World Cup triumph in QatarCredit: AP
    The video was posted on Twitter with the message: “Thank you Papa Lionel.
    “The most precious gift is already at home. Congratulations to all the Argentine people!”
    Upon seeing the trophy, the boy exclaims, “Thank you Papa Lionel”.
    In Argentina, Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel, but it has been changed to hail the national team captain Lionel Messi.
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    The victory over France in the final in Qatar was the ultimate gift for Argentinian fans ahead of the festive period.
    And they loved the video, as one commented: “I did not want to start crying this early, thank you Messi”.
    A second wrote: “See this and we continue crying all hugged”.
    A third added: “Merry Christmas to Argentina and thank you for the best Christmas present”.
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    Messi netted a brace in the match as Angel Di Maria also got on the scoresheet for Argentina.
    But the game went to penalties as France star Kylian Mbappe fired in a hat-trick.
    Then it was Gonzalo Montiel’s time to step up and be the hero as he converted the winning spot-kick. More

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    ‘Dad… my strength is yours’ – Pele’s kids share emotional posts as they accompany Brazil World Cup legend in hospital

    PELE’s children have posted emotional snaps of themselves and the Brazil legend in hospital following his latest health scare.The three-time World Cup winner was admitted to hospital in late November after taking a turn for the worse.
    Pele’s daughter shared an emotional snap of them from the hospital to InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@KELYNASCIMENTO
    Pele’s son Edinho has also been to see his fatherCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Brazil legend Pele, 82, was admitted to hospital in late NovemberCredit: AFP
    The three-time World Cup winner has been battling colon cancer for over a yearCredit: AFP
    The 82-year-old – who has been battling colon cancer since September of last year – has yet to be discharged from the hospital, where his daughter shared a heartfelt snap of them.
    Kely Nascimento uploaded a picture of herself hugging her father in his hospital room on her Instagram page.
    Pele’s granddaughter could be seen in the background laying on a sofa.
    Kely’s accompanying caption read: “We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. Another night together.”
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    She also included a video of her father sleeping in bed while the family spoke to him.
    The entire football world has kept Pele in their thoughts and prayers since his admission to Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital – where he’ll spend Christmas.
    And the outpouring of emotion has given him immense “comfort.”
    Kely said: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone.
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    “Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”
    Pele’s son, Edinho, has also arrived at the hospital to show his support for his father.
    He posted a picture on Instagram of their hands holding each other, along with the emotional message: “Father… my strength is yours”.
    Pele is currently receiving treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
    A recent hospital statement read: “Admitted since November 29 for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for colon tumour and treatment of a respiratory infection, Edson Arantes do Nascimento presents progression of the oncological disease and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.
    “The patient remains hospitalised in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team.”
    Daughter Flavia said: “At the hospital, he is better assisted.
    “But he’s not in the ICU, he’s in a normal room. So he’s not at risk.
    Pele is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all timeCredit: AFP
    “As a person with a more delicate health, it is better to be in the hospital.”
    Despite being hospital-bound, Pele didn’t miss out on the sensational World Cup final between Argentina and France last weekend.
    He wrote on Instagram: “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way.
    “[Lionel] Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.
    Read More on The Sun
    “My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final.
    “What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.” More

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    Football fans in hysterics at ‘worst ever’ Lionel Messi tattoo following Argentina star lifting World Cup

    FANS have been left in hysterics after one Argentina supporter got the “worst ever” tattoo of Lionel Messi.The fan got the World Cup-winning captain inked on their back, but people joked at how bad the design was.
    Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in QatarCredit: AP
    A fan appears to have a had Lionel Messi holding the World Cup inked on his back
    The tattoo shows Messi holding the World Cup trophy in his Argentina shirt, but the proportions of his head seem slightly off.
    Despite there being no confirmation that the ink job is genuine, fans were quick to poke fun at it.
    One commented: “When the tattoo artist is a Brazil supporter.”
    A second wrote: “Looks like Messi in 2026 being 39 and overweight.”
    READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
    A third said: “He should go get his money back.”
    A fourth added: “Looks like a combo of Messi and Rooney.”
    Messi lifted the trophy after Argentina beat France in the final in Qatar.
    The PSG attacker netted twice in the game, but the tie still had to be settled by a penalty shootout.
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    Messi converted his spot-kick, but it was Gonzalo Montiel who slotted home the decisive penalty.
    The award completed Messi’s glittering trophy cabinet and sealed his legacy as one of, if not, the best footballers of all time.
    He has been celebrating alongside his team-mates in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
    He is now set to spend Christmas at his home in Rosario and avoid public appearances to spend time with his family. More

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    Emi Martinez branded a ‘vulgar clown’ by Souness and ‘stupid’ by Vieira as backlash over World Cup antics rumble on

    EMI MARTINEZ has been branded a “vulgar clown” and “stupid” following his antics after Argentina’s World Cup triumph.The Aston Villa stopper caused a furore moments after collecting the Glove Glove award after La Abliceleste’s penalty shootout victory over France by putting the trophy to his crotch and thrusting it forward.
    Emi Martinez was the hero of Argentina’s World Cup triumph over FranceCredit: REX
    Martinez heroics throughout the tournament won him the Golden GloveCredit: REX
    Martinez’s gesture seconds after winning the award has been branded “vulgar”Credit: REX
    Emiliano Martinez taunted Kylian Mbappe by holding baby doll with his face on
    The gesture amused many, but not former Liverpool and Scotland star Graeme Souness.
    He wrote in his Daily Mail column: “Much of the debate post World Cup Final has centred on the behaviour of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the penalty shootout.
    “I can accept those antics, to a point.
    “But what we should be talking about more is the crude gesture he made after collecting his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy.
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    “Do some people really find that sort of thing funny?
    “Martinez embarrassed himself and he embarrassed his country. He looked like a vulgar clown.
    “If that is what he wants to be remembered for, then God help us all.”
    Souness’ sentiment was echoed by Crystal Palace manager and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, who also slammed Martinez’s goading of Kylian Mbappe.
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    He said: “When you are talking about the abuse and the comments that he received after the World Cup, I think that is damaging the game and himself.
    “Some of the pictures that I saw from the Argentina goalkeeper took away a little bit from what Argentina achieved at the World Cup.
    “I don’t think that they really needed that.
    “You can’t control sometimes people’s emotions or decisions, but that was a stupid decision from Martinez to do that.”
    The French Football Federation filed a formal complaint against Martinez after he was spotted holding a doll with a photo of Mbappe on it during Argentina’s celebrations in Buenos Aires.
    And he’ll receive a dressing down from club manager Unai Emery for his actions.
    The Villa gaffer said: “When you have big emotions, it is sometimes difficult to control them.
    “I will speak with him (Martinez) next week about some celebrations, but I respect that he is now with his national team.
    “When he’s with us, under our responsibility, we can speak about it.”
    He added: “We are so proud of him. He won the World Cup with his national team and it’s amazing.
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    “Fans of Aston Villa must be very proud of him. He’s coming back next week.
    “I want him to rest now because after big emotion and hard work, he has to have some days off to rest then he’ll come back to work with us.” More