Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul has responded to the hate his country received at the World Cup.
The losing finalists were derided over perceived refereeing bias, particularly from Egypt who said their quarter-final was ‘fixed’.
The 2022 champions‘ style of football also earned them some enemies, which only increased when they dialled things up in the final.
A number of hefty challenges went unpunished before Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
Then, when the final whistle blew, the likes of Leandro Parades disgraced themselves with physical assualts.
On top of that, assistant coach Roberto Ayala even got involved, showing just how widespread such an attitude was in the squad.
Yet despite it all, De Paul thinks it’s everyone else’s fault.
In a social media statement, Lionel Messi’s bodyguard said: “The greatest pain is that we couldn’t bring the World Cup back to our country, because if anyone deserved to relive that feeling, it was you.
“But as the hours go by, you’re making us realise that your connection with this team goes far beyond the trophy, and that’s something I want to hold onto to get through this moment.
“Today I see how many people were hoping for this defeat, spreading unfounded conspiracy theories throughout the World Cup to soothe the pain of others who couldn’t experience what all Argentinians were experiencing.
“Because our smiles bothered them, because our mannerisms annoyed them… But that only reaffirmed that the passion and love for our jersey can overcome anything.
“It will hurt for a long time, but today more than ever I am proud to be ARGENTINE.”
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