Emi Martinez threatened to "beat the sh*t" out of Cristian Romero for his rash tackles in the World Cup final after fouling France's Kylian Mbappe.
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- Martinez reveals half-time Romero threat
- Tottenham star had fouled Mbappe
- Argentina beat France in World Cup final
- Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
Tottenham defender Romero flew into a challenge with France star Mbappe in the first half of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar last December. The South American side won the game on penalties after a 3-3 draw but at half time, Villa keeper Martinez pulled his fellow countryman aside to warn him about his reckless challenges in an effort to stop him getting sent off.
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- Getty
WHAT EMI MARTINEZ SAID
He told : "I know Cuti's (Romero) weakness, I remember in the final against France he went with both feet against Mbappe. He grabbed the ball, everything. And at half-time I grabbed him by the shirt and told him, 'If you get kicked out, I'll beat the sh*t out of you after the game'.
"I have to tell Cuti 'Please, stop hitting'. Cuti plays like that, on the edge of a red card, and I'm always catching him in that sense. But he's impressive."
- Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Argentina won their third World Cup crown in one of the greatest finals of the tournament's history. Lionel Messi also finally achieved his dream to win this great trophy after many years of trying. Argentina got the win without having any players sent off, so maybe Martinez's chat with Romero did the trick…
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?
Argentina duo Martinez and Romero may cross paths again when they return to international action in the Copa America in June of next year.