Rodrigo De Paul experienced one of his most awkward moments as an Atlético de Madrid player during the recent match against Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. In the 62nd minute, Diego Simeone decided to substitute him for Conor Gallagher, which led to an unexpected reaction from the Atlético fans. The whistling De Paul received as he left the field surprised many, not so much because of his performance, but due to the attitude with which he left.
A Moment of Tension
The draw at that moment seemed tense and quite insufficient, and what upset the red-white fans was the way De Paul left the field walking slowly. This gesture, in a team that values dedication and intensity like Atlético de Madrid, did not go unnoticed among the fans. They considered it a lack of commitment at a crucial moment of the match.
Gil Marín, one of the club's top authorities, is known for his deep appreciation of effort and attitude on the field. Although De Paul has demonstrated his quality and commitment on numerous occasions, the whistles he's received are a sign that there is no room to relaxing at the Metropolitano .
Anger in Argentina
The episode also had repercussion in Argentina, where De Paul is considered as a national hero after his key role in winning the 2022 World Cup. Argentine fans, for the most part, defended the player, spreading videos and showing their outrage at what they considered unfair criticism of one of the national team's key players. For many, De Paul remains a committed player who, despite some mistakes, always gives his best on the field.
It is important to remember that Atlético de Madrid has one of the most demanding fan bases in Europe. This is not the first time that a key player has been criticized when his efforts are not perceived as being at the expected level. However, De Paul's case is special, as his performance has been positive in most of the recent matches, even though he has created discomfort for this gesture.