Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has rejected criticism directed at Argentina following the team’s controversial campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This is as he insisted there is “no real reason” for people to hate the national team.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final after Ferran Torres scored in extra time to hand La Roja a historic second World Cup title.
However, the result was overshadowed by growing criticism of the Albiceleste’s conduct during the tournament.
The Argentine team faced accusations from some observers of playing overly aggressively, while several incidents, including those surrounding the final and the team’s celebrations during the competition, fuelled debate about the players’ behaviour.
Martinez, however, has described the criticism as an unjustified campaign against Argentina.
“An anti-Argentina campaign? I’m a little annoyed because they have no real reason to hate us!” he told Foot Mercato on Monday.
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“They say we are arrogant, but that says more about them than about us.
We have always been very respectful towards every opponent we have faced,” the defender added.
The defender’s comments come after Argentina’s World Cup campaign was further clouded by controversy surrounding incidents involving players and officials, including a FIFA probe into a Falklands/Malvinas banner displayed during the team’s semi-final celebrations.
Martinez had also earlier responded to criticism following the final defeat, writing in a social media post that “the fall of the great is the happiness of the mediocre,” a statement that sparked further reaction.
Despite the criticism, the Manchester United centre-back maintained that Argentina’s players believe they have consistently respected their opponents, arguing that the controversy has unfairly shaped perceptions of the team.
PUNCH Online reports that Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign was marked by strong performances but also controversy, with the team criticised by some observers for its aggressive style and the conduct of some players during the tournament.
The debate intensified after the Albiceleste’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final, which handed La Roja a historic second World Cup title, the turning back on Spain when handed in trophy in the spirit of fair play and further fuelled scrutiny of Argentina’s behaviour throughout the competition.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
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Source: The Punch
