Emiliano Martinez won the best goalkeeper award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Some fans teased him with “Mbappe” chants, and he got booed on stage. He made key saves for Argentina at the World Cup, even though Mbappe scored against him. Martinez celebrated with a doll featuring Mbappe’s face, which some didn’t like. Despite the teasing, his father presented the award. In 2010, he left Argentina for Arsenal’s youth team to pursue his dream in Europe.
During the ceremony, a video of Martinez’s crucial save against France led to boos from the French audience, but Didier Drogba asked for respect.
In the Ballon d’Or rankings, Martinez was 15th and the second-highest goalkeeper, behind Yassine Bounou. Lionel Messi won the main prize, with his World Cup success and move to Inter Miami, beating Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.