Neal Maupay aims cheeky swipe at Emiliano Martinez following their fracas by saying Argentine ‘should be grateful’ for striker helping launch his career and win the World Cup

Neal Maupay has taken a cheeky swipe at Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, saying he should 'be grateful' for the Brentford striker who helped launch his career.

The pair were involved in a furious fight during Sunday's Premier League match, with Martinez riling up the home fans with his theatrics after two clashes with Maupay.

Martinez threw himself to the ground after being attacked by the striker, before pushing the former Brighton and Everton to the ground in retaliation moments later.

Clearly displeased with Maupay's response to his push, Martinez then grabbed the Brentford man's shirt as he tried to drag him back to his feet, sparking a wider altercation between players from both teams.

Brentford then hilariously trolled Martinez and wished him well in his 'recovery from injury'.

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And Maypay followed up with a humorous dig, saying he helped launch Martinez's career after Bernd Leno was injured in a collision with the then-Brighton striker three years ago.

Martinez had been a back-up player for Arsenal for ten years and had never played for his country.

But the injury gave him an opportunity and he excelled in Leno's absence before joining Aston Villa for £20 million.

He went on to become Argentina's No. 1 and win the Copa America before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Maupay told SPORTbible: 'I got so many messages saying 'you actually won the World Cup'.

“Obviously Leno got injured in contact with me and then (Martinez) was allowed to play and then he was allowed to play for Argentina, blah blah.

“He should be grateful, shouldn't he.”

'It was such a shame that Leno got injured. I have a very good relationship with him now that he plays for Fulham. I never tried to hurt him.”