Former Germany striker Rudi Voeller has launched a fresh attack on Argentina’s style of play, insisting the reigning World Cup runners-up should never become the benchmark for modern football despite their recent success under Lionel Scaloni.
Speaking at the International Congress of the German Football Coaches Association, Voeller rejected suggestions that Germany should follow Argentina’s example and instead praised Spain and England for their defensive organisation.
“I said that in Germany we need to defend better. Many people held up the Argentinians as a model, and I thought that was a bad example,” Voeller said, according to TyC Sports.
“Suddenly, the Argentinians became the benchmark. I found the discussion somewhat hypocritical.”
The former Germany international delivered his strongest criticism when discussing Argentina’s overall approach.
“I don’t want a team that plays like Argentina. What they did had nothing to do with football.”
Voeller acknowledged Argentina’s achievements under Scaloni but argued that success alone should not define football’s ideal style.
“Yes, they are world champions and this time they are runners-up, but I really don’t understand all the praise they’re getting from so many people.”
Instead, the 66-year-old reserved his admiration for World Cup winners Spain and beaten semi-finalists England.
“Spain deserves the praise, and the English also defended very well,” he said.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final to claim their second global crown, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal after Enzo Fernández’s dismissal left Argentina playing with 10 men.
Voeller also reflected on Germany’s own shortcomings and stressed that defensive improvement remains a priority.
“Well, I didn’t say we don’t know how to defend. We can and must defend better, that’s a fact, and it starts from the front or in midfield.”
The former striker’s latest comments continue a long-running debate over Argentina’s playing style.
Voeller has experienced some of the biggest moments in the rivalry between the two nations. He scored in West Germany’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final before helping Germany gain revenge four years later with a 1-0 victory in the 1990 final.
His criticism also echoes remarks he made after Argentina lifted the 2022 World Cup, when he argued that, aside from Lionel Messi, Germany should not consider the South Americans superior.
“Apart from Lionel Messi, who is extraordinary and whom everyone wanted to see win the World Cup, nobody should tell me that the Argentinians are better than us,” Voeller said at the time.
His latest assessment is unlikely to soften the debate surrounding Argentina’s physical approach. While Scaloni’s side have reached back-to-back World Cup finals and won the 2022 title, critics such as Voeller continue to argue that results should not overshadow questions about the team’s style of football.
