Cristian Romero has hit back at Gary Neville’s criticism of Argentina’s central defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez, saying he hopes he is never “that stupid” when his own playing career comes to an end.
Former England defender Neville described Romero and Martinez as “the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world” ahead of Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England in Atlanta.
The pair both picked up yellow cards during Wednesday’s heated encounter but also played key roles in limiting England to just two shots on target as Lionel Scaloni’s side booked their place in a second consecutive World Cup final.
“The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid,” Romero told DSports when asked about Neville’s comments.
“Hopefully I won’t criticise a player or anyone.
“Because at the end of the day, we are doing our best for our national team. Sometimes it goes right for us, sometimes badly, but we are just happy to be in a World Cup final again.
“I think we are making history, for us it is something really huge, and we feel the significance of this shirt like no-one else.”
Martinez: We respond on the pitch
Manchester United defender Martinez also responded to the criticism, insisting Argentina’s players prefer to answer their doubters through performances rather than words.
“We’re used to people always talking about us,” Martinez said.
“It seems like they like doing it, and we respond on the pitch, that’s it, always with respect.”
Romero and Martinez, both 28, have started five of Argentina’s six matches at the tournament and have become central figures in another impressive run to the final.
The defending champions have kept two clean sheets in the matches the pair have started together, conceding six goals in total as they seek a fourth World Cup title.
Neville’s “best, worst” verdict
Neville made the comments during an appearance on The Overlap podcast before the semi-final clash.
The former Manchester United and England full-back argued that Romero and Martinez combined moments of brilliance with costly mistakes.
“They seem to give a goal away between them every single game,” Neville said.
“But you watch them, they are scoring goals, heading the ball, they’re literally everywhere – it’s incredible.
“I call them the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world.
“Because they absolutely at times can be unbelievable, but the next, it’s the sublime to the ridiculous.”
Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final as they attempt to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago, while England take on France in Saturday’s third-place play-off.
