What did Nicolás Otamendi say to Rodri after the 2026 World Cup final? The full translated exchange
The heated conversation before the medal ceremony has gone viral. Here’s exactly what Otamendi and Rodri said to each other.
Nicolás Otamendi sparked fresh tension in the moments before the World Cup medal ceremony by confronting Spain captain Rodri and accusing the Spanish team of complaining about the officiating throughout the week leading up to the final.
The veteran Argentina defender approached Rodri and didn’t hold back.
“Crying all week”
“Talk a little less, man. You guys were crying all week. All week you were complaining. You and Laporte. Both of you. You don’t do that. You spent the whole week whining about the referees, my friend,” Otamendi said.
Rodri responds to Otamendi
Rodri replied calmly, saying, “I have respect for you.”
Otamendi, however, continued pressing his point.
“But you shouldn’t be talking before the game, you know that?”
Trying to understand the accusation, Rodri asked, “What did I say? Laporte?”
Otamendi then pointed behind Rodri toward Aymeric Laporte and replied, “Didn’t you see what he said this week?”
Oyarzabal tries to calm things down
Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal stepped in and attempted to defuse the situation, but Otamendi remained focused on his conversation with Rodri and continued the exchange before the medal ceremony got underway.
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