Austria striker Michael Gregoritsch has publicly criticized Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul following their World Cup match. The dispute stems from a broken promise regarding a shirt swap after the final whistle, as Gregoritsch told Swiss outlet 20 Minuten.
What happened with the shirt swap?
According to the 20 Minuten report, Gregoritsch and De Paul had agreed before the game to exchange jerseys after the match. Following Austria's 1-2 defeat, De Paul allegedly ignored the pre-arranged signal and walked straight down the tunnel. "It was a disappointment," Gregoritsch said to the Swiss portal. "That's just not how things are done in football." The Austrian forward emphasized that such agreements among professionals are usually honored.
How did Gregoritsch respond to the incident?
The attacker vented his frustration on social media. He posted a picture of himself with De Paul during the match on his Instagram story, captioning it with an ironic "Thanks for the shirt." This public reaction sparked considerable attention and debate among fans. Gregoritsch explained to 20 Minuten that he wanted to make a point. Such occurrences are rare, but they tarnish the spirit of fair play in the sport.
What is Austria's position in the World Cup group?
The loss to Argentina was a setback for manager Ralf Rangnick's team. Austria currently sits in third place in Group B after this match. The squad still has every chance to reach the knockout stages but needs positive results in their remaining group games. The next challenge is the match against Nigeria this coming Saturday. You can find the exact schedule and venues for all World Cup matches on our fixtures page.
What role does Gregoritsch play in the current squad?
Michael Gregoritsch is an experienced forward in the Austrian setup. At the ongoing World Cup, he has featured in both group stage matches, once from the start and once as a substitute. During qualification, he was one of the team's most prolific scorers with five goals. His contract with SC Freiburg runs until the summer of 2027. A complete overview of the squad and player statistics is available on our squad page.
What does this incident mean for the rest of the World Cup?
The incident with De Paul will not affect the preparation for the crucial match against Nigeria. The team is fully focused on the sporting task at hand. For Gregoritsch personally, the matter is closed following his public statement. The squad aims to set the course for a last-16 berth with a victory against Nigeria. You can track the current standings and various qualification scenarios on our standings page. The mood in the camp remains positive and confident despite the loss to the defending champions.
