Argentina team turns backs on Spain during trophy ceremony, refuses to watch

Published Jul 23, 12:06 PM UTC

Following their 0-1 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in New York, the Argentine national team displayed poor sportsmanship during the award ceremony. After receiving their silver medals listlessly, almost the entire team moved to their own fan section and demonstratively turned their backs on the Spaniards as captain Rodri lifted the trophy. Only striker José Manuel López, who did not play in the final, watched the ceremony. The behavior follows earlier incidents where Nicolás Otamendi insulted Spanish players and Leandro Paredes physically lashed out at opponents, prompting a FIFA investigation. German football legends Toni Kroos and Lothar Matthäus had already criticized Argentina's defensive, shotless performance during the match, with Kroos declaring 'Football won' and Matthäus stating the display 'has nothing to do with football.'

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