Argentina’s players have been widely condemned for turning their backs on Spain’s World Cup trophy presentation in scenes branded “a lack of class” and “hard to watch” by fans and pundits.
According to Spanish sports daily AS, the Argentina squad broke with the unwritten conventions of post‐final protocol by refusing to face the podium as Spain’s players lifted the trophy. Instead, they stood facing their own supporters, who remained in one of the stands after the match.
AS wrote that the moment marked an “unusual gesture in the awards ceremony” and said it capped a final in which, in its view, Argentina “focused more on dirty tricks than on football”.
The incident came at the end of a fractious World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, during which tempers repeatedly flared on the pitch and on the touchline.
Trophy ceremony overshadowed
Traditionally, the beaten finalists stand and watch their opponents receive their medals and lift the trophy, applauding the new champions. AS reported that Argentina “did not follow the custom of the runners‐up”, choosing instead to turn away from the podium during Spain’s moment of triumph.
The action, the newspaper said, “did not go down well with the Spanish fans or any neutral football supporter”. It added that there was “a sense of shock” in Argentina’s dressing room afterwards as the scale of the backlash became clear, with criticism “spreading widely” online and in the media.
AS also reported that Argentina’s overall behaviour throughout the tournament had “generated great discontent among fans around the world”.
‘Argentina turns its back on champion Spain’
Former Brazil star Denilson, who was at pitchside and filmed the scene on his phone, posted the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “يا رجل، هذا امر صعب… الارجنتين تدير ظهرها لاسبانيا البطلة” – “Man, this is hard… Argentina turns its back on champion Spain.”
Other social media users and commentators quickly joined in the criticism. A motorsport-focused account run by Juanca wrote: “الارجنتينيون يديرون ظهورهم لاسبانيا عندما رفعوا الكاس. يا له من افتقار للاناقة ويا لها من طريقة سيية للخسارة!” – “The Argentines turn their backs on Spain when they lift the cup. What a lack of elegance and what a bad way to lose!”
ESPN journalist Mark Ogden also highlighted the incident, posting: “لاعبو الارجنتين يديرون ظهورهم لمراسم تقديم الكاس لاسبانيا” – “Argentina’s players turn their backs on the trophy presentation for Spain.”
Flashpoints and late clashes
AS reported that tensions had already been running high before the ceremony, pointing to a clash involving Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes on the Argentina side, and Rodri, Eric Garcia and Gavi for Spain, with the Spanish players “ending up on the ground” during one altercation.
The newspaper said those confrontations fuelled anger in the stands and on social media, contributing to a hostile mood once the final whistle blew.
After full time, Argentina were accused of further misconduct, with some players and members of the coaching staff reportedly confronting and even physically targeting Spanish players. AS described the post‐match scenes as “regrettable”.
Messi and Scaloni urged calm
Amid the rancour, AS suggested that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi played a moderating role. The paper said the “calmness of Scaloni” and Messi’s “obvious emotional expression” helped to ease some of the tension that had built up during and immediately after the match.
Nonetheless, the report concluded that their attempts at restraint were not enough to offset the reaction to the team’s behaviour across the tournament – and especially the image of a World Cup finalist turning its back as the new champions lifted the trophy.
