World Cup 2018: Argentina were so bad I didn’t want Lionel Messi’s shirt any more, says Croatia hero Ante Rebic
Winger sticks the boot in following his team-mate Sime Vrsaljko's taunts of they were 'crying like girls'
CROATIAN star Ante Rebic says he decided not to ask Lionel Messi to swap jerseys due to his disappointment in Argentina’s performance on Thursday.
The Eintracht Frankfurt winger opened the scoring before Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic both hit the target as the Croats thrashed the South American giants to book a place in the last-16.
Rebic’s team-mate Sime Vrsaljko taunted Argentina’s players for their reaction.
The defender accused Messi and Co of “crying like girls” after the final whistle.
Now Rebic has revealed he was even more disappointed by their efforts and attitude.
He told Goal: “To be honest, I wanted to get Messi's jersey for my friend, who is a big fan of Leo.
“But the Argentines made such a bad impression on me that I gave up on asking Messi for his jersey.
“Honestly, I expected much more. At least of those players from the Premier League, who are used to a high tempo and duels.
“You saw Nicolas Otamendi - in the fourth minute Mandzukic passed by him and he was rolling on the floor.
“I am disappointed by their behaviour and lack of fair play, not to mention how they provoked us. An athlete should know how to deal with defeat.”
