Argentina star Cristian Romero has revealed what triggered him to scream in Kylian Mbappe's face in the ugly manner he did during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France.
Last month's thrilling World Cup final had many talking points, and even more so after the tournament as more drama unfolded when some Argentina players decided to mock their opponents' star man Mbappe.
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The Frenchman's duel with PSG teammate Lionel Messi was arguably the most notable contest of the match, with the former netting a hat-trick and the latter scoring a brace to set up a tense penalty shootout, from which the Albiceleste emerged victorious.
However, during the 120 minutes of play, tensions were high as players from both sides seemed to let their emotions get the better of them.
Among them was Tottenham Hotspur star Romero, who provocatively celebrated one of Messi's goals right in Mbappe's face.
The 24-year-old has now revealed that his galling celebration was, in fact, a deliberate attempt to hit back at the France attacker for how he had treated another Argentina star in that game.
"I yelled in Mbappe's face to celebrate our goal," Romero explained on D Sports Radio.
"Because Enzo (Fernandez) had spoken to him and he had treated him really badly. Then I celebrated Leo's goal in his face."
Reflecting on the nerve-wrecking shootout, the defender added: "I saw Leo's penalty, it was the only one I saw.
"Afterwards, I didn't see any more penalties, because I was kneeling and praying.
"I rewatch the final every day and I've always wanted to face France in the final because they were the world champions."
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He then continued to discuss Messi's monumental achievement as national team captain, stating: "From a football point of view, we know what Messi represents, for me and for many others he is the greatest in history.
"He has a simplicity and humility on a day-to-day basis and that makes him greater."
Romero is now one of only two current Spurs players who have won the World Cup, alongside 2018 champion Hugo Lloris, who announced his retirement from international football earlier this month.
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