Argentina defender Cristian Romero has revealed the main reason why he screamed in the face of France star Kylian Mbappe during the 2022 World Cup final.
Mbappe fell short of claiming back-to-back World Cup medals, despite singlehandedly inspiring France’s comeback against Argentina in Qatar.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina from the spot-kick before Angel Di Maria doubled the 2021 Copa America champions’ lead before half-time.
Mbappe pulled France back into the final with a sensational quick-fire brace late in the second half at the Lusail Stadium, which forced the tie to extra-time.
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Messi restored Argentina’s advantage in the second half of extra-time, but Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe went on to complete his sensational hat-trick.
Mbappe converted from the spot-kick in the shootout, but Didier Deschamps’ men were beaten 4-2 on penalties by eventual World Cup winners Argentina.
Romero was spotted yelling at Mbappe after Messi scored Argentina’s third against France in the World Cup final.
However, the 24-year-old Tottenham centre-back claimed his actions were in response to Mbappe treating Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez “really badly.”
“I yelled in Mbappe’s face to celebrate our goal,” Romero told D Sports Radio.
“Because Enzo had spoken to him and he had treated him really badly. Then I celebrated Leo’s goal in his face.”
He added: “I saw Leo’s penalty, it was the only one I saw. Afterwards, I didn’t see any more penalties, because I was kneeling and praying.”
Romero also hailed Argentina captain Messi as the GOAT of football and praised the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for his “simplicity and humility.”
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“From a football point of view, we know what Messi represents, for me and for many others he is the greatest in history,” he said.
“He has a simplicity and humility on a day-to-day basis and that makes him greater.”
Topics: Kylian Mbappe, France, Argentina, Football World Cup, Football
Adnan Riaz