Argentina cancel World Cup homecoming celebrations after “hurtful” final defeat, Milei reveals

Argentina’s World Cup runners-up will not hold any homecoming celebrations after their painful final defeat to Spain, President Javier Milei has said.

The president revealed that the national team were offered six different options to mark their return, but the players unanimously chose to cancel all festivities following their 1-0 loss in Sunday’s World Cup final.

“They were given the choice of six different celebrations,” Milei told LN+ television. “But they, obviously, because of the sadness caused by their inability to win the final, decided not to hold any celebrations.”

The decision means there will be no mass event in Buenos Aires, no open-top bus parade and no presidential reception, despite Argentina finishing as runners-up on the world stage.

Presidential reception shelved

In the days leading up to the final, Milei had publicly invited the team to celebrate a potential title at the Casa Rosada, the iconic presidential palace and seat of executive power.

After the defeat by Spain, he went further, saying he was prepared to declare a national holiday so that players and fans could mark Argentina’s second-place finish together.

However, the president confirmed that none of those plans will go ahead after the squad made clear they did not wish to celebrate.

The move underlines the depth of disappointment within the group, who had entered the tournament as defending champions and came within a goal of forcing extra time in the final.

Messi’s absence defended

Milei also addressed the decision by captain Lionel Messi and several other players not to travel back to Argentina on Monday with the rest of the delegation.

Asked about the absences, the president urged the public to respect the players’ choice.

He said: “We must respect the decision made by the players,” before speaking in more personal terms about Messi’s situation.

“I don’t think this is a moment in which he feels comfortable, and that must also be taken into account,” Milei said.

The president offered effusive praise for the Inter Miami forward, insisting the country owes Messi a huge debt of gratitude for his years of service.

“I think we have so much 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 as “the best player of all time”.

‘Huge achievement’ despite heartbreak

Despite the visible anguish of losing the final, Milei insisted that finishing second in the World Cup should still be considered a major success for Argentina.

He called the runners-up spot a “huge achievement” and praised the squad’s conduct throughout the tournament.

The players, he said, “always took a stand and behaved in a balanced way during the tournament, even in moments when referees took incorrect positions against Argentina in some matches, as they responded in a very balanced and organised way, and always stood out for fighting until the end”.

Milei also reflected on the final itself, in which Spain edged Argentina 1-0.

“It was a very difficult match for us on Sunday,” he said. “Even so, Argentina could have equalised in the closing minutes, even though the run of play was not at all favourable to Argentina,” he added, calling Spain “a tremendous opponent”.

Muted return to Buenos Aires

A portion of the squad and members of the coaching staff did return to Argentina on Monday, receiving a more subdued welcome than the euphoric scenes that followed their 2022 World Cup triumph.

They were greeted at the airport to the sound of the famous fan chant “Muchachos”, performed by the Argentine Army’s Grenadier Guards band.

But with no national holiday, no balcony appearance at the Casa Rosada and no official celebrations planned, Argentina’s World Cup journey is ending not with a triumphant street party, but with quiet reflection after a near miss on football’s biggest stage.