Lisandro Martinez says Argentina World Cup hostility reflects critics, not players

Lisandro Martinez has defended Argentina’s conduct at the 2026 World Cup, insisting there is “no real reason” for the hostility directed at the team after they finished runners-up to Spain.

The Manchester United defender said he had been left “a little annoyed” by what he views as an unfair campaign against the world champions, whose behaviour in the United States drew heavy scrutiny from sections of the international media and some observers.

Argentina were criticised throughout the tournament for what was perceived as excessively aggressive behaviour on the pitch, with their image taking a hit in the eyes of some commentators.

Those questions intensified after the final, where Spain defeated Argentina to win their second World Cup title and secure a historic second star on their crest. A number of flashpoints involving Argentina players in that match fed into a wider debate about the team’s on-field conduct.

In an interview reported by French outlet Foot Mercato, Martinez rejected the idea that Argentina had crossed a line, and pushed back strongly at what he believes is a narrative driven by outsiders.

“Anti-Argentina campaign? I’m a little annoyed, because they don’t have any real reason to hate us!” he said.

Argentina’s approach at the tournament was dissected in detail, with critics pointing to confrontations, protests to referees and intense celebrations as evidence of a team whose competitive edge had spilled over into perceived arrogance.

Martinez, however, argued that those accusations say more about Argentina’s detractors than about the players themselves.

He continued: “They say we are arrogant, but that reflects their reality more than ours. We have always respected all our opponents.”

The centre-back stressed that, inside the Argentina camp, there is a firm belief that the team has consistently shown respect, even in the heat of high-stakes knockout matches.

Despite the swirl of controversy surrounding their behaviour, Martinez underlined that the squad remain convinced they have conducted themselves properly, both in victory and defeat.

By reiterating that message, the former Defensa y Justicia and Ajax defender sought to draw a line under the criticism and reframe the debate around Argentina’s mentality, portraying it as competitive rather than disrespectful.

Argentina’s run to the 2026 final ensured they remained at the heart of the global conversation throughout the tournament, but Martinez’s comments make clear that he and his team-mates feel the intensity of that spotlight has at times tipped into unjustified hostility.

For Martinez, the narrative of arrogance is not one he recognises from inside the dressing room, and he maintains that, regardless of outside perceptions, respect for opponents has been a constant principle for the “Albiceleste”.