Otamendi did not digest Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final well. After losing to Spain in a match in which his team was absolutely outclassed by the Spanish players, It occurred to the Argentine central defender to confront Rodri because of Laporte’s statements in MARCA in the previous one.
Laporte responds to Argentina’s aggressiveness: “I’m not worried, it’s the referee’s job”
“Start talking less, idiot, you were crying all week,” Otamendi told Rodri when he approached to greet him after the final. “All week you were crying. You and Laporte, both of them. That’s not done, they were crying with the referees, friend.”
Rodri, surprised, asks Otamendi what he said and the Argentine center back responds: “Laporte? Haven’t you seen what he said this week?” And the Ballon d’Or leaves amazed by the Argentine’s performance, specialist in warming up matches and apparently very susceptible to Laporte’s words in MARCA.
What did Laporte say in MARCA?
The Spanish central He was asked about Argentina’s aggressiveness and if it worried him ahead of the final. And he responded: “I’m not at all worried about aggressiveness within what football is. If it is condoned and the referee does his job, I don’t have any problem. It is true that in the last few games we have seen things that have surprised us a lot, actions that are allowed to pass. Especially with Argentina, which is a team that leaves many messages. That should not be allowed in football, especially in such big competitions, because it can destabilize and piss you off.”
MARCA’s cover
“It is part of the referee’s job to control these things so that they do not eat the toast. If one or two players can do it, the game is going to be uncontrolled. Since the beginning of the tournament we have been a quite noble team in that sense. We are not about hitting the opponent or making crazy fouls. And I think that is what we have to do in this game. But it is true that a lot will depend on the refereeing,” he insisted.
