Lautaro Martinez has publicly voiced his disappointment at being left on the bench for the whole of Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain – a coaching call that has sparked fierce criticism back home.
The Inter Milan captain, who arrived at the tournament as Serie A’s top scorer and one of Argentina’s key attacking threats, did not play a single minute in the 1-0 loss, as Lionel Scaloni’s side failed to register a shot on target until the closing stages of extra time.
Martinez used Instagram on Sunday night to address both the defeat and his omission, in comments widely seen as a pointed message to his national team coach.
“We gave everything to win the World Cup for the second time in a row, but this time it was not meant to be. I am very proud to be Argentinian,” he wrote.
Star striker sidelined on biggest stage
Martinez, 29, had underlined his status as one of the world’s most in-form forwards in the build-up to the final.
He had just completed a remarkable domestic season, finishing as top scorer in Serie A and helping Inter to the Italian league title and Coppa Italia. At the World Cup, he scored three times in seven matches, including dramatic late winners against Switzerland in the quarter-finals and England in the semi-finals.
Despite that form, the forward was forced to watch from the sidelines for the entirety of the final in North America, as Spain edged past the defending champions.
His omission came at the end of a tournament in which he had started Argentina’s first four matches before losing his place to Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez for the knockout stages.
‘I would have liked to help on the pitch’
In his social media post, Martinez appeared to allude directly to Scaloni’s decision to overlook him in the final.
“I would have liked to help the team on the pitch, but it’s okay,” he wrote.
He also paid tribute to Argentinian supporters who followed the team across the tournament.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us during this tournament, who travelled kilometre after kilometre to be close to us, and to everyone who cheered us on from every corner of our country,” he added.
Scaloni substitution call under fire
One of Scaloni’s most questioned decisions came deep into extra time of the final, when he used his last substitution to bring on defender Marcos Senesi rather than introducing Martinez in search of an equaliser.
With Argentina chasing the game and struggling to create clear chances, the choice to add defensive cover instead of an additional striker was described by sections of the Argentinian media as one of the most controversial tactical calls of his tenure.
Local outlets have highlighted that Martinez – a proven goalscorer at both club and international level – remained on the bench throughout as Argentina’s attack laboured.
Proven record for Argentina
Martinez’s frustration is underpinned by an impressive international record.
The Inter captain has scored 40 goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances for Argentina. He has been part of the country’s recent golden era, lifting the 2022 World Cup and winning the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024.
His goals in the 2026 tournament were seen as pivotal in Argentina’s run to a second consecutive World Cup final, with his late strikes against Switzerland and England reinforcing his reputation as a big-game player.
While Martinez insisted he remains proud of his country and grateful to its fans, his carefully worded message is likely to fuel debate in Argentina over Scaloni’s handling of the final – and whether one of the team’s most lethal finishers should have been left watching from the bench as their title slipped away.
