Argentina's Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martinez have fired back at Gary Neville's pre-match remarks after their team's stunning comeback win over England in the World Cup semi-finals.
Romero labelled Neville's comments 'stupid' in a joint interview with Martinez, saying that they don't respond to critics and let their play on the pitch do the talking.
'We're used to people always talking about us, it seems they just love talking about us,' Martinez said.
'We don't really respond, we just let our play on the pitch do the talking, always with respect.'
Romero added: '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.
'After all, you go out there trying to do your best for your team and your national team, sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn't, it's not the end of the world.'
The Argentina duo made their comments after coming from behind to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a stunning late fightback, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez both scoring in the closing stages.
England had looked to be heading for only a second World Cup final appearance after Anthony Gordon directed home Morgan Rogers' cross to break the deadlock in Atlanta.
Neville had previously stated that Romero and Martinez 'give goals away' and 'should hug Lionel Messi every single minute of every single day because he's had to pull them out of the mire.'
However, the former Manchester United and England right-back refused to let Romero have the last word when asked about the back-and-forth on Sky Sports News this afternoon.
'I did go on to say that they are incredible – and those were my exact words – and their force of nature of how they try and win their games, they go from the sublime to the ridiculous,' Neville said.
'Romero played in a team last year that nearly went down and got relegated in the Premier League, conceding 65 goals, so I think I know what I'm talking about when I watch a player.
'He's very talented, as is Lisandro Martinez, but they do make mistakes, lots of them, and they have conceded goals.'
Neville also insisted that Argentina's victory was largely down to Messi, who he branded a 'genius.'
'Argentina didn't win last night because of their centre-backs, they won last night because of their great player who is arguably the greatest player of all time,' Neville said.
Argentina's victory sets up what promises to be a compelling showdown with Luis de la Fuente's Spain in Sunday's final.
England, meanwhile, must pick themselves up off the floor to do battle with France in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
