With tears hard to contain, standing beside Lionel Messi and making an apology gesture with his hands toward the stands as the Spanish team lifted the World Cup, Rodrigo de Paul revealed on the field all the anguish of an undesired ending. Always characterized by playing with pure passion and feeling both on and off the pitch, the footballer decided to channel that impact hours later through an open letter on his social networks.
In his message, the midfielder expressed frustration at the sporting result, but also took the opportunity to respond directly to the narratives and questions that surrounded the squad during the competition.
The sadness of not repeating the title and the value of the bond with the fans
The opening of the message published by the player focused on the impact of the result on the squad and the impossibility of delivering another joy to the country. De Paul expressed the group’s sadness in the face of the unconditional support received throughout the tournament.
“The greatest pain is that we couldn’t bring the World Cup back to our country again, because if there is someone who deserved to relive that feeling, it was you,” the midfielder wrote in the first part of his statement.
However, as the hours after the match passed, the player’s analysis found a foothold in the bond built with the public. According to him, the connection achieved goes beyond purely sporting results: “But as time passes, we are made to realize that the identification you have with this group goes beyond the trophy, and that is something I want to cling to in order to move through this moment.”
The clash with criticisms and conspiracies during the tournament
The most forceful stretch of the post was dedicated to those who, in his view, awaited the team’s stumble. De Paul pointed to the rumors and theories that circulated during the tournament and argued that they stemmed from a discomfort generated by the festive mood surrounding the Argentine squad.
“Today I look at how many people expected this downfall, installing unfounded conspiracies throughout the World Cup to ease the pain of others who couldn’t live what all Argentines were living, because our smiles bother them, because our ways upset them… But that only reaffirmed that the passion and love for our jersey can overcome everything,” he stated.
Pride and closure with a look toward the future
To conclude his message, the midfielder made clear that fully absorbing the result will take time, although he underscored the identity value of representing the country in a moment of such magnitude.
“It will hurt for a long time, but today more than ever I am proud to be Argentine,” the footballer closed, reaffirming his devotion to the jersey above the bitter taste of defeat.
