Mbappe opens up about Argentina's Emiliano Martinez

France attacker Kylian Mbappe claimed he won't "waste energy on such futile things" when questioned about remarks made by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez following the FIFA World Cup 2022 final.

The mega final of FIFA saw Argentina defeating defending champions France by 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.

During his team's celebrations in the locker room in Qatar, Martinez asked for a moment of silence for Mbappe and posed with a figurine of the player.

"Celebrations are not my problem. I don't waste energy on such futile things," Mbappe told RMC Sport.

Martinez is reportedly scheduled to return to training with Aston Villa on Thursday. Villa manager Unai Emery has promised to speak with Martinez about his celebrations.

Mbappe, who had a hat-trick in the title game, emphasised that he and his teammate Lionel Messi of Paris St. Germain will not have any problems as a result of the outcome.

"I spoke with him after the match, I congratulated him. It was the quest of a lifetime for him, for me too, but I failed, so you always have to be a good sportsman."

Earlier, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera accused Argentine players of being "inelegant winners" and "vulgar" for mocking her country's star Mbappe.

"As much as our French team knew how to lose with panache, so the manner in which this Argentine team acted after this victory was not worthy of the match we saw", the minister told French radio station RTL.

Oudea-Castera singled out goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was seen in the victory parade in Buenos Aires holding a baby doll, its face covered with a photo of French star Mbappe.

"I find it pitiful. It's just vulgar, inappropriate, really not up to the occasion," she said. This Emiliano Martinez is not distinguishing himself. It is rather pathetic," said Oudea-Castera.

On Wednesday night, Mbappe's late goal against Strasbourg gave PSG an eight-point lead over Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

The 24-year-old striker is presently leading the French top-flight scoring rankings with 13 goals. He won the FIFA World Cup's Golden Boot with eight goals.