Lisandro Martinez has defended Argentina's players after they turned their backs on Spain's World Cup trophy lift, insisting the gesture was a show of respect for their own supporters. The Manchester United defender spoke out a week after the controversial final in New Jersey, where Argentina's conduct sparked widespread criticism.
Argentina players accused of disrespect
Footage from MetLife Stadium showed Argentina's players facing away as Spain's squad collected the trophy, prompting accusations of poor sportsmanship. The reaction drew a ferocious backlash from the football community, with Lionel Scaloni's team branded 'sore losers' and 'classless'. One Argentine player, Jose Manuel Lopez, was applauded for facing Spain's celebrations while his teammates stood with their backs turned.
The unsavoury scenes followed a bad-tempered final that saw Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes involved in an ugly skirmish with Gavi and Eric Garcia, kicking and shoving the Spanish duo on the ground. Argentina coach Roberto Ayala also punched Spain's Dani Olmo in the neck area, with Olmo showing restraint before being led away by Luis de la Fuente.
Martinez explains the gesture
Speaking after receiving a hero's welcome in his hometown Gualeguay, Martinez said he has 'mixed feelings' about how Argentina's World Cup defence ended. 'I have mixed feelings. It makes me a little angry because they have no basis for generating that hatred,' he said. 'They say we're arrogant but maybe it says more about the people who say those things than about us.'
Martinez refuted claims that Argentina's players turned their backs as a sign of disrespect to Spain. 'After the final, we greeted all the Spanish players and coaching staff,' he added. 'The image where we appear with our backs to the camera was because we stayed singing with our fans. It was a show of respect towards the Argentine fans, we couldn't leave.'
Scaloni defends his team
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni had earlier defended his players, arguing they set a 'great example for our people and country' while 'showing how to lose'. 'We accept that we lost, we gave everything, we arrived at a very crucial moment, but if they leave everything on the field like they did today, it's a great example for our people and country,' he said. 'You lose and you have to get back up again. Today we showed that we know how to lose.'
FIFA investigation confirmed
FIFA have confirmed there will be an investigation into Argentina's conduct after the final. The controversy has overshadowed Spain's victory, with additional incidents including Dani Olmo accusing Argentina's coach of 'lying' about the punch, and Donald Trump sending a message to Ferran Torres after the Spain hero wore a MAGA-style hat at the World Cup parade.
