Spanish media condemn Argentina's behavior after World Cup final
Argentina's decision to leave the pitch during the trophy ceremony sparked harsh criticism from the Spanish press.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
The attitude of the Argentina national team following their loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final has become the subject of intense scrutiny in the Spanish press. Major outlets such as Marca and Diario AS branded the actions of the Albiceleste during the medal ceremony as a significant lack of respect toward the new world champions.
Journalists highlighted that the Argentine players turned their backs while Spain was lifting the trophy. Juan Ignacio Gallardo, director of Marca, wrote in an opinion piece that the team led by Scaloni failed to handle the defeat, turning the end of the final into a lamentable moment.
What Argentina did yesterday is a disgrace. It is a lack of respect for football. Roberto Gómez
The Spanish media further pointed out that Argentina broke established football traditions by not remaining on the pitch for the trophy presentation, instead moving their entire delegation toward the stands to greet their fans. This posture, according to commentators, has tainted the team's image and drawn negative reactions from both Spanish supporters and neutral observers alike.