Leandro Paredes' attacks were not the only episode of tension after the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, won by the Spanish team on Sunday night.
Otamendi attacks Rodri after the end and says: “Idiot”
Leandro Paredes' attacks were not the only episode of tension after the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, won by the Spanish team on Sunday night. While attention was focused on the...
While attention was focused on the confusion involving Paredes, Gavi and Eric García, Nicolás Otamendi went to demand explanations from Rodri, Spain's captain, for statements made in the days leading up to the final.
"Start talking less, idiot. You spent the whole week crying. You and Laporte, both of you. That's not done, it's not nice. You spent the whole week complaining about the refereeing", said the former Benfica player, in a conversation recorded by the broadcast cameras.
Otamendi continued the discussion and stated that he respected Rodri, but that the Spanish should not have spoken before the match.
“I respect you, but you don’t need to talk first, understand?”, said the Argentine.
Surprised, Rodri asked what he had said. Otamendi then cited Aymeric Laporte.
"Laporte. Didn't you see what he said during the week?", he replied.
??Otamendi, totally burned, went out to complain to Rodri and Laporte for “relorar” before the party speaking about the arbitration. What did you wait for? From Qatar, millions of fans around the world believe that Argentina has been favored by arbitration decisions. It was… pic.twitter.com/KEXuyMQRUQ
The final was decided only in extra time. After a goalless draw in regulation time, Ferran Torres scored the goal that secured Spain's 1-0 victory and the world title at MetLife Stadium.
But, after all, what was said by Aymeric Laporte and Rodri?
What did Rodri and Laporte say before the final? The statements that angered Otamendi were made after Spain's victory over France in the World Cup semi-final.
In an interview with the newspaper “Marca”, Laporte commented on Argentina's more aggressive stance and criticized the way in which some plays were being handled by the refereeing.
"I don't worry about aggressiveness in football. As long as it's tolerable and the referee does his job, I don't have a problem. It's true that, in the last few games, we've seen things that surprised us a lot, moves that were ignored. Especially with Argentina, a team that tends to leave a lot of messages", said the defender.
Rodri had also complained about the performance of the referees in the tournament, especially in relation to the fouls committed on Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish captain said that the lack of punishment encouraged opponents to repeat the moves.
"We have been living with this situation for three matches. We are talking about more than 10 or 15 fouls that are not called. When you don't blow the whistle, the defenders continue doing the same thing. The permissiveness is evident", he declared to the newspaper "AS".
Argentina turns its back on Spain during the cup presentation
The Argentine fans left the stage as Rodri received the 2026 World Cup trophy and went towards the fans. The gesture provoked criticism in Spain and increased the controversy after the final marked by confusion and aggression
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Esporte
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