The Martinez-Mbappe rivalry recedes as the Argentinian goalkeeper comforts the French star Watch video

The Martinez-Mbappe rivalry has been in the spotlight since Argentina and France reached the final. Last week, Martinez was seen criticizing Mbappe noting that Mbappe knows nothing about football.

For the uninitiated, Mbappe has previously commented that European nations are better prepared for the World Cup than South American teams due to their frequent confrontations in high-profile tournaments. Hitting him, says Martinez, when you don’t have this experience, it’s probably better not to talk about it.

Even on the pitch, the rivalry seemed to flare up as Martinez missed Mbappe’s two shots in the 80th and 81st minutes. The Frenchman then completed a hat-trick in the 118th minute from the penalty spot. But Martinez had the last laugh when he saved another penalty to help the home team win.

However, Argentina’s World Cup victory could not overshadow Mbappe’s brilliance. And their rivalry subsided when the Argentinian goalkeeper was seen stepping down to comfort the depressed Mabappe.

Watch Martinez console Mbappe:

Mbappe won the World Cup Golden Boot with eight goals after scoring a hat-trick in Sunday’s final defeat to Argentina on penalties following a 3-3 draw. He became only the second person to score three goals in a World Cup final after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 and one more than Lionel Messi, being named the tournament’s best player.

The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup games and is level with Brazil legend Pele at sixth on the all-time scoring list.

Mbappe is only the second player to score in consecutive World Cup finals after Vava, who scored in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 victories.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s four goals in World Cup finals are also the most in history. Throughout the tournament, he displayed his dazzling form to prove that he is the next great thing in the world of football.