Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte has taken a subtle dig at Argentina in their 2026 World Cup campaign, saying several decisions and incidents involving the Albiceleste have “surprised” him. His comments arrive just days before Spain face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, adding tension to an already heated matchup.
This was Laporte’s full reaction:
Aggressiveness doesn’t worry me at all as long as it stays within the rules of football and the referee does his job. It’s true that lately, we’ve seen things that surprised us! With actions that aren’t penalized, always with Argentina. It’s a team that leaves its mark on people’s minds.
That shouldn’t be allowed in football, especially in such important competitions, because it can destabilize and frustrate the team. It’s the referee’s duty to control these behaviors to avoid abuses. If one or two players get away with it, the match will be chaotic.
Since the start of the tournament, we’ve been a fairly fair team in this regard. We don’t look to hit our opponents or commit dangerous fouls. And I think that’s what we need to do in this match. But it’s true that it will depend a lot on the refereeing.
Softfootball understands that Laporte’s comments come at a moment when fans worldwide are divided. Many supporters have argued throughout the tournament that refereeing decisions favoured Argentina, while others strongly disagree and insist Argentina’s intensity is simply part of their competitive identity.
