Trash Talk Is Not A New Thing In Football, Sometimes It Needs To Be Done To Drop The Opponent's Mental

Emiliano Martinez inflaming Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo (screenshot of beIN Sport)

JAKARTA - Exaggerating the opponent is something that is common in sports. This is often done to gain an advantage over the opponent.

Football is no different, and trash talk is a widely used tool for bringing down opponents in an already stressful situation.

The latest incident came from Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. He had many words to say to Colombia's penalty takers in the penalty shootout at last summer's Copa America as well as to Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford two weeks ago.

Here are a few examples of when players tried to gain an advantage by throwing trash talk into their opponent's ears quoted by VOI from MARCA.

"Take it, Cristiano"

Aston Villa were on course for a win against Manchester United at Old Trafford when the home side were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds of the game. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was seen telling Ronaldo; "Take Cristiano" in an attempt to mentally bring down the taker, Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes then kicked the ball high and Villa went home with the three points.

Emiliano Martinez to the Man Utd fans after Bruno Fernandes missed the penalty. This man is a living legend. pic.twitter.com/ooQInzKLJ9

— Football Shithousery (@FootyRustling) September 25, 2021

"You're mine, bro"

A few months ago, Martinez did the same when representing Argentina in the Copa America semifinals. He delayed Colombia's penalty taker in the shootout by saying: "I know you", "You're mine, bro" and "I know what you're talking about at the break". The Tango team went on to win on penalties as they progressed to the final.

Don't laugh at Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a penalty in Holland's 4-0 win over Andorra a few years ago, making the opposing goalkeeper laugh at him. Minutes later, the former Real Madrid striker scored and took revenge on the goalkeeper by simply walking up to him and raising his hand in victory.

Subotic poke fun at Robben after missing a penalty

In the race for the 2012 Bundesliga title, Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich is a big game. Arjen Robben missed a crucial penalty, which saw Dortmund's Neven Subotic openly shout in his face in celebration.

Words between Messi and Alvaro

In the Copa del Rey match between Barcelona and Espanyol in 2016, Lionel Messi and Alvaro Gonzalez were involved in a feud. The Spain defender told Messi "You are really short" to which the Argentine maestro responded "Well you are really bad". There's not much to argue about that when it comes from Messi himself.

Gimenez's pee disorder on Falcao

At only 19 years old, Jose Maria Gimenez looks confident on the pitch. When he faced Radamel Falcao with the Uruguay national team, he tried to keep the Colombian from focusing on the game by asking casual questions like "What car do you have?" and "Why are the colors of the flags of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia all the same?"

Goal of the 'chubby' Maradona answers ridicule

When Diego Maradona played at Argentinos Juniors, he was labeled "fat" by Boca Juniors goalkeeper Hugo Gatti. Maradona told his friend and representative Jorge Cyterszpiler "I will score four goals past him tomorrow" and the Argentine legend did so the following day.