Lautaro Martinez breaks silence after World Cup final snub as Argentina fall to Spain

Lautaro Martinez has voiced his frustration at being left on the bench for the entire 2026 World Cup final, as Argentina’s bid for back‐to‐back titles ended in a 1-0 defeat by Spain.

The Inter Milan captain, who arrived at the tournament in peak form, used a late-night Instagram post to address both the loss and what appeared to be a pointed message to head coach Lionel Scaloni over his selection decisions.

Argentina, defending the crown they won in 2022, failed to register a shot on target until late in extra time in New York, where Spain secured their first World Cup triumph since 2010.

Martinez, who had been a key figure in Argentina’s run to the final, did not play a single minute.

Star striker left watching from bench

Martinez entered the World Cup on the back of a stellar club season, having won Serie A and the Coppa Italia with Inter Milan and finishing as top scorer in the Italian league.

In the tournament itself, he scored three goals in seven matches for Argentina, including dramatic late winners against Switzerland in the quarter-final and England in the semi-final.

However, after starting the first four World Cup matches, Martinez lost his place in the starting XI to Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez and was again named among the substitutes for the final.

Scaloni then opted not to introduce him at any stage of the match. His final substitution in extra time was used to bring on defender Marcos Senesi, a move that has since been heavily criticised in the Argentine media, given Argentina’s growing desperation for a goal.

Local pundits and former players have questioned why one of the world’s most in-form centre-forwards was not used as Argentina struggled to threaten Spain’s goal.

‘I would have liked to help the team on the pitch’

Breaking his silence after the defeat, Martinez posted a reflective but emotionally charged message to supporters – and, implicitly, to his manager.

“We gave everything we had to win the World Cup for a second time in a row, but this time it wasn’t meant to be. I am very proud to be Argentinian,” he wrote.

In what many fans interpreted as a reference to being overlooked in the final, he added: “I would have liked to help the team on the pitch, but it’s okay.”

He went on to thank Argentina’s supporters around the world: “Thank you to everyone who supported us during this tournament, who travelled kilometre after kilometre to be close to us, and to all those who cheered us on from every corner of our country.”

The post comes amid wider criticism at home, where some commentators have accused Argentina of resorting to “حيل غير نظيفة” (dirty tricks) during the competition, further intensifying scrutiny of the squad and coaching staff following the defeat.

Record, trophies and future questions

Despite the disappointment in 2026, Martinez’s international record remains formidable.

The 29-year-old has scored 40 goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances for Argentina. He played a central role in the country’s recent golden era, winning the 2022 World Cup, as well as the Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

At club level, he has established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, captaining Inter Milan and leading them to multiple domestic honours.

Scaloni’s decision-making in the final – particularly his reluctance to deploy Martinez as Argentina chased an equaliser – is expected to be a major talking point in the post-tournament inquest.

While neither the striker nor the coach has directly confronted the issue in public beyond Martinez’s brief hint, his comments are likely to fuel debate over how Argentina handled their biggest match since lifting the trophy in Qatar four years earlier.

For now, Martinez has signalled his pride and gratitude, but his message also leaves open questions about his role in the national team’s next chapter – and whether Argentina missed a crucial opportunity by leaving one of their most lethal forwards on the sidelines when it mattered most.