Facundo Medina's amusing encounter with a mechanic who criticized the national team

Argentine national team defender Facundo Medina shared a humorous anecdote about a chance encounter at a tire shop near Garín, Buenos Aires province. Medina had stopped at the shop due to a flat tire and, while sharing mate with his companion, was approached by the owner.

Without recognizing the footballer, the shop owner noticed the mate set adorned with three stars, symbolizing Argentina's World Cup victories. He then proceeded to criticize the national team players, calling them "vendepatria" (traitors) and accusing them of "giving away" the World Cup during the final against Spain. Medina, choosing to maintain his anonymity, engaged with the owner, asking him to elaborate on his criticisms.

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Cuando se enteró, empezó a llorar. Le dije: ‘No llores ahora. Nosotros no regalamos nada, queríamos ganar. ¿Quién te pensás que soy?’. Después nos dimos un abrazo.

The situation took a turn when a woman leaving a nearby bakery recognized Medina and informed the tire shop owner's wife of his identity. Upon learning who the customer was, the owner became visibly emotional and began to cry. Medina reportedly comforted him, saying, "Don't cry now. We didn't give anything away, we wanted to win. Who do you think I am?" The two then shared a hug.

Later, a segment producer from the streaming program "Todo por la misma" visited the tire shop and interviewed the owner, who confirmed Medina's account. The owner admitted to criticizing the team, stating he believed they had "given away the World Cup." He recalled Medina listening and laughing during their hour-long conversation. The owner expressed surprise at Medina's down-to-earth demeanor, noting, "You talk to him and you don't realize. He's a person like any other."

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Se acercó una señora que trabaja en la panadería y le dijo a mi mujer: ‘Tenés a un jugador de la selección en tu gomería, ¿no te diste cuenta?’. Cuando vi a toda la gente sacándose fotos, me largué a llorar. Ahí él [Medina] me pidió que dejara de llorar y me abrazó.