“You spent the whole week crying”: Otamendi’s remark to Rodri that ignited the final after Argentina’s defeat

Por Juan Pablo González
19 July, 2026

Spain had just been crowned champions. Ferran Torres had scored in extra time, 1-0, and the 2026 World Cup already had a new two-time champion. Amid the hugs and tears, Nicolás Otamendi stood in front of Rodri Hernández and refused to shake his hand.

“You spent the whole week crying”, the Argentine defender, now at River Plate, blurted out just as the Spanish midfielder was celebrating the most important title of his career. The scene quickly escalated: Leandro Paredes shoved Gavi and grabbed Eric García by the neck, while Thiago Almada threw Gavi himself to the ground after grabbing him by the shirt.

Lionel Scaloni had to step in to separate the players and ease the tension. As the minutes passed, things calmed down and there were even sporting handshakes between the two squads. But Otamendi’s remark had already been etched in memory as the perfect summary of a final that was played even after the final whistle.

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