Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez have responded to Gary Neville’s remarks following Argentina’s World Cup quarterfinal victory over England. The central defenders addressed the comments during a joint post-match interview, offering a measured and respectful reply.
Neville had described the pair as “the best worst centre-halves in the world,” questioning their on-field decisions and resilience. “Why is he there? You always ask the question,” he said. “They don’t give in and they fight, and they fight, and they fight.” His critique sparked a reaction from the players, who chose to focus on their performance rather than public scrutiny.
“We’re used to people always talking about us,” Martinez said, emphasizing the team’s approach to criticism. “We don’t really respond. We just let our play on the pitch do the talking, always with respect.” Romero added a more reflective tone, stating, “The only thing I hope is that when I retire, I won’t be that stupid. Hopefully, down the line, I won’t go around criticising players or anyone else.”
Both players underscored their commitment to representing their country with pride. “We’re making history here, it’s huge for us,” Romero said. “We feel the shirt like no one else, and we’re really happy to be making history.” Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, with the match set to kick off at 8pm BST.
The response highlights the players’ professionalism amid pressure, balancing confidence with humility. Their focus remains firmly on the upcoming final, where they aim to continue their campaign for the prestigious title.
