Spain superstar Lamine Yamal mocked Argentina brute Leandro Paredes with a punchy sign at his country’s World Cup celebrations in Madrid.
Two million Spain supporters crowded the streets of the capital to welcome their heroes after they defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final.
But the immediate aftermath of the match was marred by the barbarous antics of Paredes, who attacked two Spain players.
He grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before shoving over substitute Gavi, causing a large-scale melee in the middle of the pitch – and it’s that second act to which Yamal’s sign referred.
Yamal held up a sign which read: ‘Velada del ano VII: Paredes vs Gavi’. The Velada del Ano is a celebrity boxing event in Spain, not unlike Misfits.
Argentina were widely condemned for their behaviour after losing the final – but they have maintained a siege mentality about it. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was sent off in normal time, claimed that they had represented their nation in the ‘best way possible’.
Lamine Yamal mocked Leandro Paredes referring to his altercation with Gavi after the World Cup final
Argentina midfielder Paredes was lambasted after the whistle for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground
He said: ‘As time passes, you realize there is something much bigger than a result.
‘For years, this group has represented our country in the best possible way.
‘It teaches that competing isn’t just about winning, but about giving everything for the shirt and never giving up. Being part of this group, which has always stood up, competed to the very end, and defended these colors with pride, humility, and commitment, is something I’ll always cherish.
‘I want to thank all the Argentine fans. Thank you for always being there, for supporting us in every match, for your affection, for your unconditional support, and for making us feel at home no matter where we are in the world.
‘Wearing my country’s shirt is the greatest honour of my career, and I will continue to give everything I have every time I’m called upon to defend it.’
Defending the shirt with violence is another matter, though, and the BBC’s piundits weren’t impressed. Micah Richards said of Argentina’s behaviour: ‘It’s embarrassing. They were on the cusp every single time.
‘Seeing that sort of stuff after the game was played, it’s not good, it’s embarrassing to be honest. Paredes is better than that. We all know what it’s like to lose a game but this is not good enough.’
Joe Hart added: ‘Disgusting behaviour. There was one man on that pitch with class and that was Lionel Messi.’
Captain Rodri lifted the World Cup as Spain touched down in Madrid on Monday afternoon
Yamal carried his bags – including an oversized Hermes Birkin sack – off the plane
Wayne Rooney said: ‘It doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen this from Argentina before. It’s just sad, very poor from them.
‘If you lose a game of football, be graceful. It’s a reaction to them being outplayed. Enzo Fernandez has got what he deserves.’
Argentina were thuggish throughout the World Cup final, just as they had been against England in the semis.
Fernandez complained against his dismissal for a second yellow but his late foul on Pau Cubarsi, which sent the defender flying, was atrocious.
Paredes was also fortunate to not be sent off in regular time for a foul on the edge of the box which presented Lamine Yamal with a last-breath free-kick before extra-time.
Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, the first of which came in the 117th minute.
By contrast, they were trigger-happy on the fouls with 24 – though Spain didn’t have clean hands themselves, as they gave away 21.
Alan Shearer said: ‘There’s a way to lose. Too many times we’ve seen that reaction from them. They were trying to win free-kicks and their reaction after full time was terrible. The best team won. It’s a result for football because of the way Spain have played.’
Spain were in high spirits as they celebrated winning the World Cup on their bus home to Madrid in the early hours of Monday morning
Festivities in the hotel were limited to a bottle of £1,000 red wine drunk by Marcos Llorente, goalscorer Ferran Torres and Marc Pubill
Marc Cucurella and Gavi posed in front of the team’s Airbus as they prepared to go home
The airplane arrived hours later as the city of Madrid readied a welcome home fit for heroes
Aymeric Laporte and Alex Baena both posed with the World Cup trophy onboard their plane
Even Lionel Messi didn’t rise above the dark arts. The legendary forward was lambasted by Wayne Rooney after he tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off during the latter stages of the game.
The game descended into chaos when Fernandez received his second yellow card.
This led to a melee between both sets of players and Cucurella was spotted saying something to Messi.
The left-back then put a couple of fingers over his mouth and continued speaking, a move which the Argentine immediately reacted to and waved over the referee.
As per FIFA’s rules for this tournament, if a player holds their hand over their mouth in a confrontational situation, they will be sent off.
This was seen with Miguel Almiron for Paraguay in the group stage and Piero Hincapie in the knockout stages for Ecuador.
However, it didn’t appear that Cucurella was speaking in a confrontational manner and the referee, nor VAR, decided to intervene.
The BBC pundits were quick to hit out at Messi’s behaviour as his team headed into extra time a man down.
Rodri led a bus full of Spanish players in rounds of singing as they headed for Newark airport
Yamal had previously enjoyed a cigar in the lift as he began his journey back to Spain
The prodigious Barcelona star had celebrated earlier on the pitch with his girlfriend Ines Garcia
Hart said: ‘Oh wow! Wow! Yeah, I didn’t enjoy that at all from Lionel Messi.
‘You realise how on top Spain are if even Lionel Messi is reverting to that.’
Richards added: ‘We don’t want to see people getting sent off in a World Cup final for that.’
Rooney was similarly furious with Messi’s behaviour as he said: ‘It is desperation.
‘Argentina play like that, we know that’s what they do.
‘But the one thing you want is good sportsmanship and that was sad to see Lionel Messi doing that.’
Ffter lifting the trophy in front of a full house of their adoring fans, La Roja opted not to ring in their victory with a night of partying in the city that never sleeps.
Instead, Golden Ball winner Rodri got the party started in transit, leading a round of singing on the team bus as the jubilant players sped back to their hotel for a team meal, before moving on to Newark Airport.
Back at the hotel, noted wine connoisseur Marcos Llorente enjoyed a bottle of Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2014 – which costs £1,009 to uncork – in his room with team-mates Ferran Torres and Marc Pubil.
The stars then boarded the Airbus A350-941 waiting for them – clad in their team’s livery – and took off shortly after 2am local time.
Spain’s players landed at Madrid’s Barajas Airport at 2.30pm local time, and stepped out onto the tarmac with the World Cup trophy held aloft.
