Nicolas Otamendi has not only lost a place in the World Cup quarter-finals but he’s also lost plenty of respect among his fellow professionals.
Otamendi has been accused of a disappointing lack of sportsmanship after booting the football at opponents’ heads on more than one occasion in Russia.
In Argentina’s crushing 3-0 group stage defeat to Croatia, the centre-half hoofed the ball into Ivan Rakitic’s head from just inches away, sparking a melee between the teams.
Otamendi seemingly doesn’t take too kindly to being on the losing side because he repeated the offence on Saturday afternoon, when Argentina were eliminated from the World Cup in a dramatic clash with France.
The Round of 16 game brought forth a seven-goal thriller and with Argentina desperately seeking an equaliser deep in injury time, Otamendi was issued a yellow card for belting the football at Paul Pogba’s head, again bringing both groups of players together in a shoving match.
The Manchester City centre-half has not made many friends in Russia and supporters have also not taken kindly to his tendency to lash out when results don’t seem to be going his way.
A ball to the head might not result in a career-threatening injury but there’s no need for it whatsoever and Otamendi’s behaviour has even resulted in calls for Fifa to take retroactive action against the defender.
Symbol of Argentina's World Cup: Desperately needing a goal to survive in the final minute, and Otamendi decides to go mental on an opponent and waste time.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/arseblog/status/1013087848847826944
Otamendi Is A Cunt…He Did The Same Thing To Pogba What He Did To Rakitic A Few Days Back !!!
FIFA needs To Take Disciplinary Actions!!!
BTW Bye Bye G.O.A.T 😛
— Archit ghosh (@Architghosh) June 30, 2018
I think FIFA needs to give Otamendi a ten-match ban. Three consecutive matches where he kicked the ball intentionally right into an opponent on the ground. Very uncultured buffoon.
— Omoba (@fezyexquisite) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Deixel_/status/1013095701880991746
https://twitter.com/DontTreadSoccer/status/1013093804461699072
That's two games in a row otamendi has drilled a ball into an opponent on the ground. Only had a single booking. Should've been violent conduct in both cases. Absolute filth. #Argentina #France #FRAARG #FifaWorldCup2018 #FIFA #referee
— Matt Whitwell (@whitwell_matt) June 30, 2018
FIFA needs to take action against Otamendi, did it to Rakitic n now Pogba, very bad attitude and on top of it all, a worse defender too
— Isaac Submarine (@ike_milan) June 30, 2018
On another note, can FIFA ban Otamendi from playing in the national team? Man wanted to kill Pogba just like how he did it against Croatia on Rakitic.
— Rii-Chuan™ (@chuannyboy) June 30, 2018
@FIFAWorldCup , Nicholas Otamendi should be punished for unsportsmanlike behaviours, against Croatia he kicked Rakitic and against France he almost did the same to Pogba
VAR or not, incidents like this shouldn't be condoled in the Game#WorldCup #FRAARG— JOJ® (@nebsjnr) June 30, 2018
Otamendi is the biggest sore looser I’ve seen this World Cup first boots the ball at rakitic whilst he’s on the ground then boots it against pogba today
— omair (@omair_95) June 30, 2018
Otamendi is such a dirty player
First he tried to kick Rakitic in the Croatia match and now did the same to Pogba today
Absolutely horrible #FRAARG— Shantanu (@Shantanu3196) June 30, 2018
Nicolas #Otamendi is a disgrace.
First Rakitic and now Pogba. Absolutely no need to do that especially when your team is trailing by one goal and there is only a minute left on the clock.#FRAARG #WorldCup— Nakul Jadhav (@nakulsjadhav) June 30, 2018
Twice now Otamendi has kicked the ball at the head of a fouled player as they lie on the ground. Rakitic and now Pogba. Would love to see the prick get done👍🏻
— Nate (@natedigidy89) June 30, 2018
Otamendi is a such a dirty prick, he’s done that twice now first Rakitic and now Pogba
— هاريس (@mhh10_) June 30, 2018
