Argentina’s World Cup squad has rejected six different proposals for victory parades and public events and will not hold any celebrations on their return home after losing the final 1-0 to Spain, President Javier Milei has said.
Players turn down multiple celebration plans
Speaking to the Argentine news channel LN+, Milei revealed that the national team had been given several options to mark their World Cup campaign, but chose to decline them all in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat.
“The players were given the option of holding six different celebrations. But they, clearly, because of the sadness caused by their inability to win the final, decided not to hold any celebrations,” the president said.
In the days leading up to the final, Milei had publicly proposed a major celebration at the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, if Argentina lifted the trophy. Following the narrow loss to Spain, he then floated the idea of declaring a national holiday so that the squad could commemorate their runners‐up finish with fans across the country.
However, he confirmed that none of those plans will now go ahead, in line with the wishes of the players.
Messi’s absence defended
Milei was also questioned about the decision by Lionel Messi and several other players not to return to Argentina on Monday with the rest of the squad and staff.
He urged the public to understand and support the players’ choices, singling out Messi in particular.
He said people should “respect the decision that the players have made”, before adding about the captain: “I don’t think this is a moment in which he feels comfortable, and that also needs to be taken into account.”
The president went on to praise Messi’s contribution to Argentine football and his standing in the sport.
“I think we have a lot to thank Messi for, because of all the wonderful things he has done on the pitch. And for us, those of us who love football, there are no words to describe that,” Milei said, describing him at the same time as “the best player of all time”.
‘A huge achievement’ despite defeat
Despite the disappointment of losing the final, Milei insisted that finishing second at the World Cup should be seen as a major sporting success for Argentina.
He called the runners‐up spot an “enormous achievement” and praised the conduct of the players throughout the tournament, particularly in moments of controversy.
Milei said the team had “always taken a stand and behaved in a measured way during the tournament, even in moments when the referees took incorrect positions against Argentina in some matches”, adding that the players “responded in a very calm and organised way, and always stood out for fighting until the end”.
Tough final against ‘formidable’ Spain
Reflecting on the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, Milei said Argentina had struggled to impose themselves but still came close to forcing extra time.
“It was a very difficult match for us on Sunday, and yet Argentina could have equalised in the final minutes, even though the way the game went was not favourable at all for Argentina,” he said, describing Spain as a “formidable opponent”.
Emotional return to Buenos Aires
Part of the Argentina squad and coaching staff flew back to Buenos Aires on Monday, where they were greeted by supporters and a military band.
They were welcomed to the sound of the famous fan chant “Muchachos”, played by the Grenadier Guards band of the Argentine army – a song that became an anthem for the national team and its supporters during recent international campaigns.
The quiet return and the players’ refusal to take part in official celebrations underline the depth of disappointment within the squad, even as the president and many fans view the World Cup run as a source of pride rather than failure.
