Santiago Giménez kept the secret about Piero Hincapié's expulsion

Mexican striker Santiago Giménez is maintaining his silence regarding the exact words exchanged with Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié that led to Hincapié's expulsion during the 2026 World Cup. Giménez, who plays for Italian club AC Milan, acknowledged that the question has been a constant topic of conversation since his return to Mexico.

Despite the widespread curiosity and the potential for viral attention, Giménez emphasized the unwritten code of conduct among professional footballers. "Between footballers, we have codes, and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch," he stated, explaining his reluctance to disclose the private conversation.

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Between footballers, we have codes, and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.

He recognized that revealing the dialogue could generate significant buzz on social media and in the press. However, he reiterated his commitment to respecting this professional agreement, stating, "I know that maybe if I tell you here it will go viral and I would break a code. So I can't say it. Sorry, I can't."

The incident occurred in the final moments of the match between Mexico and Ecuador on June 30th. Hincapié was shown a red card after Giménez signaled to the referee that Hincapié had covered his mouth while speaking. FIFA rules penalize such gestures with a red card. Mexico won the match 2-0, eliminating Ecuador from the tournament.

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I know that maybe if I tell you here it will go viral and I would break a code. So I can't say it. Sorry, I can't.