Argentina's dressing room secrets revealed by team staff

Behind every match of the Argentine national soccer team lies a group of collaborators who know the inner workings of the squad intimately. Two such individuals, Mario “Marito” Di Stéfano, the team's historic kit manager, and Marcelo “Daddy” D’Andrea, a massage therapist for over two decades, shared some of these dressing room secrets.

Far from conspiracy theories and alleged bad vibes among players, Di Stéfano and D’Andrea participated in a fun question-and-answer session. They revealed which players are the biggest pranksters, who is the most organized, who needs an extra five minutes to get up, and which footballer might ask for a massage even when not needed. They also recalled unusual requests made before games, forgotten items that sent staff scrambling, and the most difficult moments they experienced with the team.

While some names were kept confidential, others were openly identified. Rodrigo De Paul and Emiliano Dibu Martínez were both cited as the most prankish players. Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi were named as the quietest. However, there was unanimous agreement on Lautaro Martínez being the most organized player in the dressing room, though the staff clarified that the rest of the team is also quite tidy.

De Paul was described as "insufferable" and a "troublemaker" for constantly seeking attention from the staff. Dibu Martínez, on the other hand, was singled out as the most festive and dance-loving player. Otamendi was also noted for his role in selecting the team's music, with a diverse taste that includes more than just cumbia.