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[SPORTS] · Argentina, Spain, United States · 100 sources

Argentina's World Cup 2026 runners‑up welcomed by massive fan tribute despite defeat

Spain defeated Argentina 1‑0 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Lionel Messi posted on Instagram that the loss left “immense pain” but thanked the nation for its support and praised his teammates for reaching a second consecutive final.

The Argentine squad returned to Buenos Aires on a charter flight that landed at Ezeiza International Airport. Thousands of supporters gathered in the rain, the Granaderos band played the anthem “Muchachos,” and fans waved flags and sang as the team was escorted to the AFA’s Lionel Messi complex. Messi travelled separately to Miami and did not join the airport arrival; other stars such as Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez also bypassed the homecoming.

The government offered to organise a public celebration, but President Javier Milei said the players chose not to hold a large festivity. After the ceremony, two Argentine players refused to shake hands with U.S. President Donald Trump, and a later altercation involving Leandro Paredes sparked a brief melee on the field.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed that only part of the delegation returned, while the AFA and the nation thanked the team for its “immense pride” and unity despite the runner‑up finish.

Sources

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Con pasión y orgullo [diarioelatlantico.com.ar]
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- Desde Matanza [desdematanza.com.ar]
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