Argentina players condemned for turning backs on Spain during World Cup trophy ceremony

Argentina’s players are facing widespread criticism after turning their backs on Spain’s World Cup trophy presentation in a post-match scene branded “a terrible way to lose” and “hard to watch” by pundits and fans.

The incident came at the end of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, when, according to Spanish newspaper AS, the beaten finalists pointedly refused to follow traditional protocol during the champions’ coronation.

Players face away from podium

AS reports that, instead of standing to face the podium and watching Spain lift the trophy – the long‐established convention for runners-up – Argentina’s players lined up with their backs to the presentation.

They instead turned towards their own supporters, who were still in one stand and had yet to leave the stadium.

The newspaper described the gesture as highly unusual for a major final, saying it had “closed a match in which Argentina focused more on underhand tricks than on football”.

The behaviour added a further sour note to a final already marred, AS said, by confrontations involving Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes with Spain’s Rodri, Eric Garcia and Gavi – clashes that ended with the Spanish players on the ground.

AS noted that the visibly calm demeanour of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and the “clearly emotional” expression of captain Lionel Messi helped defuse some of the tension that had been building after the final whistle.

‘What a terrible way to lose’

The scene quickly reverberated beyond the stadium. AS reported “astonishment” inside Argentina’s dressing room and said the team’s overall stance throughout the tournament had “provoked great resentment among fans worldwide”.

Former Brazil international Denilson, who was at pitchside and filmed the moment, posted the footage on X with the caption: “يا رجل، هذا امر صعب… الارجنتين تدير ظهرها لاسبانيا البطلة” – “Man, this is hard… Argentina turn their backs on champions Spain.”

Another account, run by motorsport-focused user Juanca, also condemned the act, writing: “الارجنتينيون يديرون ظهورهم لاسبانيا عندما رفعوا الكاس. يا له من افتقار للاناقة ويا لها من طريقة سيية للخسارة!” – “The Argentinians turn their backs on Spain when they lift the trophy. What a lack of class and what a terrible way to lose!”

The same images drew sharp responses from journalists and broadcasters. ESPN reporter Mark Ogden posted: “لاعبو الارجنتين يديرون ظهورهم لمراسم تقديم الكاس لاسبانيا” – “Argentina’s players turn their backs on Spain’s trophy presentation ceremony.”

Global backlash over Argentina’s conduct

Criticism was not limited to the trophy moment itself. AS said Argentina’s general approach throughout the World Cup had become a major talking point and a source of anger for many neutral supporters.

Following the final whistle, the paper reported, several Argentina players and members of the coaching staff were involved in physical altercations with Spain’s stars, images it described as “regrettable scenes”.

Those post-match confrontations further fuelled a narrative, prominent in Spanish media coverage, that Argentina had crossed the line between competitive edge and unsporting behaviour.

The combination of on-field clashes and the symbolic act of turning away from Spain’s celebration has now prompted a wider debate over respect, fair play and the unwritten codes of conduct that traditionally govern football’s biggest occasions.

While there has been no immediate formal sanction reported for Argentina’s actions during the ceremony, the backlash from fans, pundits and international media suggests the fallout from the final will continue long after the trophy has been lifted.