Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has reignited tensions with French football fans by wearing a provocative baseball cap ahead of his side’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine shot-stopper was seen sporting a cap that features a French cockerel emblem alongside the Argentina national team badge and icons representing the four trophies he has won with his country.
The cap, showcased on Aston Villa’s official social media, appears to reference Argentina’s dramatic victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final—a match in which Martinez played a pivotal role. His save from Kingsley Coman in the penalty shootout and his controversial antics during and after the match, including taunting gestures and parading a doll of Kylian Mbappé during celebrations in Buenos Aires, had already drawn the ire of French supporters.
Martinez’s choice of attire ahead of Wednesday’s high-stakes European clash seems to be another calculated jab, potentially riling up PSG fans. However, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has defended the 32-year-old, highlighting the goalkeeper’s development in recent years.
“He is mature. He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions,” Emery said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “I’ve worked with him since our time at Arsenal. Compared to when he first arrived at Villa five years ago, he’s grown tremendously—both as a person and a player.”
Emery further praised Martinez, calling him one of the best goalkeepers in the world, a recognition underscored by his recent accolades. “Now, our focus is on football and on meeting the challenges ahead. Managing emotions is key at this level,” he added.
Villa are aiming to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1983. However, they face a formidable PSG side that recently eliminated Liverpool and clinched the Ligue 1 title over the weekend, setting the stage for a fiercely contested tie.
