Revealed: What Nicolas Otamendi told Rodri in argument after World Cup final | OneFootball

No love lost between former Manchester City team-mates

Nicolas Otamendi accused Rodri of ‘crying about referees’ as the pair argued after the World Cup final.

Spain came out on top in a tense final in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the affair in extra time.

There was plenty of animosity during the match after Enzo Fernandez was dismissed for a reckless tackle, and it continued after the full-time whistle as Argentinian players did their best to upset Spain’s celebrations.

Nahuel Molina came to blows with Rodri at the full-time whistle, triggering an unsavoury brawl, and the Manchester City midfielder was again caught up in a dispute as he exchanged terse words with his former team-mate Otamendi.

The pair were caught on camera arguing enthusiastically in Spanish, and their dispute has now been translated.

Otamendi opened proceedings, accusing Rodri of complaining about officials in the build-up to the match: “Start talking less, you big baby; you were whining all week. You were whining all week long.

“You and Laporte. Both of you. You don't do that. You were whining to the referees, my friend.”

Rodri seemed taken aback by Nicolas Otamendi’s tirade

X/DAZN

He was referring to an interview Aymeric Laporte gave to Marca ahead of the match, in which he said he would not worry about Argentina’s aggressive style of football provided the match officials did their job.

But Otamendi, who now plies his trade at River Plate, continued his tirade: “You don’t need to do that, you know?”

At this stage, Rodri pleaded his case, making the point that he himself had nothing to do with Laporte’s comments, at which point the pair were separated.

Otamendi and Rodri played together 32 times when their City stints overlapped during the 2019/20 campaign.

Rodri ultimately had the last laugh on the day, as he was awarded the Golden Ball for the tournament and lifted the World Cup trophy for his nation.