Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has rejected criticism directed at Argentina following the team’s controversial campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This is as he insisted there is “no real reason” for people to hate the national team.

Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final after Ferran Torres scored in extra time to hand La Roja a historic second World Cup title.

However, the result was overshadowed by growing criticism of the Albiceleste’s conduct during the tournament.

The Argentine team faced accusations from some observers of playing overly aggressively, while several incidents, including those surrounding the final and the team’s celebrations during the competition, fuelled debate about the players’ behaviour.

Martinez, however, has described the criticism as an unjustified campaign against Argentina.

“An anti-Argentina campaign? I’m a little annoyed because they have no real reason to hate us!” he told Foot Mercato on Monday.

“They say we are arrogant, but that says more about them than about us.

We have always been very respectful towards every opponent we have faced,” the defender added.

The defender’s comments come after Argentina’s World Cup campaign was further clouded by controversy surrounding incidents involving players and officials, including a FIFA probe into a Falklands/Malvinas banner displayed during the team’s semi-final celebrations.

Martinez had also earlier responded to criticism following the final defeat, writing in a social media post that “the fall of the great is the happiness of the mediocre,” a statement that sparked further reaction.

Despite the criticism, the Manchester United centre-back maintained that Argentina’s players believe they have consistently respected their opponents, arguing that the controversy has unfairly shaped perceptions of the team.