Spain’s Laporte accuses Argentina of leaving ‘marks and scars’ before World Cup final showdown

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has warned that Argentina “leave a lot of marks and scars on the bodies of their opponents” as he urged referees to clamp down on rough play in Sunday’s World Cup final.

The centre-back, who has marshalled a Spain defence that has conceded just one goal all tournament, said recent Argentina matches had featured “actions and challenges left unpunished” and insisted it must not be allowed to turn the title decider into “total chaos”.

‘Things that shocked us’ from Argentina

Laporte, speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca ahead of the final, said he was not afraid of intensity and physical duels – but deeply concerned about what he views as lenient officiating.

“I’m not worried at all about passion and intensity in football, if it’s acceptable within the context of the game and if the referee does his job properly,” he said.

“But the shocking thing is that we’ve seen things in recent matches that really surprised us – actions and challenges being left without punishment, especially from Argentina, who are a team that leave a lot of marks and scars on the bodies of their opponents.

“This is something that should not be allowed in football, especially in big tournaments, because it can knock you out of your focus and create frustration. Controlling these things is the referee’s responsibility so that they’re not exploited; if one or two players are allowed to go too far, the match will turn into total chaos.”

He contrasted that with Spain’s approach at this World Cup: “From the beginning of the tournament, we have been a very honest and fair team, we don’t deliberately hit rivals or commit reckless fouls, and I think that’s what we must stick to in the final. But it will depend a great deal on refereeing decisions.”

Defensive steel and a rising partner

Spain have reached the final with one of the best defensive records in the competition, conceding only once.

Asked about playing alongside teenage partner Pau Cubarsi and the team’s near-impenetrable back line, Laporte replied: “That’s true, and I’ve said it in several interviews before: I think the credit for this achievement belongs to the entire collective structure.

“We are, in the end, the last line of defence; and it’s true that many clubs place a heavy burden on their defenders, but in our case, defensive work starts from the striker who presses, all the way back to the goalkeeper. We work incredibly hard to avoid conceding any goal, and that’s what makes us such a difficult team to beat.”

Messi ‘a living legend’ – but Laporte wants title ‘for us, not for him’

The final will pit Spain against an Argentina side led by Lionel Messi, a player Laporte describes in reverential terms – even as he hopes to deny him another World Cup.

“Messi is a living and eternal legend; we all grew up as kids watching his videos,” Laporte said. “The truth is I’ve played a lot of games against him and unfortunately I only have photos with him (laughs).

“He always appears at decisive moments, and he appeared in many important moments for me too. Leo is an unbelievable player and we all enjoyed watching him, and now I hope that this World Cup won’t be his, but ours.”

Pressed on whether beating Messi would make lifting the trophy even sweeter, the defender was pragmatic: “It doesn’t matter who the opponent is that I beat; I’ll accept winning the World Cup against anyone. But clearly victory would mean knocking out another legend, who would join the list of legends we’ve left behind in previous rounds.”

‘I’ve never won Man of the Match – and that’s fine’

Laporte has been a consistent performer in Spain’s run but has yet to be named player of the match in any game.

“I’ve never had an award like that before, so I don’t really know whether I’m expecting it or not,” he admitted.

He believes there is a strong commercial and goalscoring bias behind such prizes: “For sure, and I think whoever scores the winning goal in the final will be the one who takes the award; but as long as we win the World Cup that’s completely enough for me. In the end, forwards are the ones who always get these awards, and you know how things go.”

‘Hungry to win, not just to enjoy’

Some in Spain have argued that simply reaching the final is an achievement to be savoured regardless of the result. Laporte agreed in part, but stressed that the squad is driven by ambition.

“That’s absolutely true, but there’s also that hungry thirst for victory, and what the World Cup represents in any player’s or coach’s career,” he said.

“Being satisfied with enjoyment without giving everything you have, after playing eight tough matches, would be a blow to our morale. It’s about enjoyment, yes, but also about fighting and competing in order to write history.”

No regrets over choosing Spain over France

Born in Agen and raised in the French system, Laporte opted in 2021 to represent Spain at international level. He insists that decision has been fully vindicated.

Asked whether he faced any backlash at home after Spain eliminated France in the semi-final, he replied: “No, there’s nothing like that at all; they know very well how much I’ve suffered and the stages I’ve gone through in my career, and they give me absolute and complete support.”

On his choice of national team, Laporte was unequivocal: “Yes, one hundred percent. I wouldn’t give up that feeling of comfort and being embraced that I’ve had all these years, nor my current place here, for anything in this world.”