Novelist Pérez-Reverte Criticizes Argentine Team's Post-Final Conduct

Spanish novelist Arturo Pérez-Reverte has joined international criticism directed at the Argentine national football team following incidents that occurred after the 2026 World Cup final.

Pérez-Reverte, who has previously expressed affection for Argentina, sharply condemned the players involved in the post-match altercation. He stated on social media platform X: "With their coarse behavior, dirty manners, and poor sportsmanship, the team that played against Spain did not represent Argentina, which is better than that. It represented only the most violent and irrational part of a certain detestable Argentine society."

His comments sparked immediate reactions online. One user lamented, "What a pity, Arturo, that you too join the anti-Argentine chorus." Pérez-Reverte responded by sharing a screenshot of a previous post, asserting, "Excuse me, dear friend. I am the one who is sad. I have often expressed my affection and respect for Argentina, and I have enough age and experience not to be influenced by pro or anti campaigns. I saw the whole match, including the moments that followed."

Other users accused Pérez-Reverte of contributing to manipulation and xenophobia, while some pointed to alleged aggressions against Argentines in Spain following the final. One user questioned, "And what part of civilized Spain is this, Don Arturo?" referencing a video of an Argentine being attacked on a Madrid subway, implying hypocrisy in the criticism.