Argentina president backs Messi, criticises refereeing after 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain

Argentina President Javier Milei said his nation’s players refused to participate in any homecoming events following their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, and he defended Lionel Messi’s decision not to return with the squad, calling him "the best player of all time". Milei also commended Argentina’s fighting spirit, accused officiating of injustice, and described Spain as "a formidable opponent".

Argentina fell to a 1-0 loss to Spain in the tournament decider, a result that prompted a subdued response from the squad upon their return. According to Milei, the players declined all organised celebrations at home, while Messi chose not to accompany the group back. The president publicly voiced support for the captain and highlighted what he saw as both the side’s resilience and contentious elements surrounding the match officials.

Milei’s remarks made clear he stood behind Messi’s individual choice in the aftermath of the defeat. He reiterated his high regard for the forward with the comment that Messi is "the best player of all time", and framed the decision as understandable given the outcome and the team’s mood. That personal endorsement from the president underscored the national stature Messi retains despite the loss.

On the topic of officiating, Milei asserted that Argentina encountered unfair treatment from the referees and described the experience as an injustice to the team. He suggested the match was affected by decisions that did not favour Argentina, without specifying particular incidents in his comments. His critique of the officials accompanied praise for the players’ efforts on the pitch.

While critical of the refereeing, Milei did not dispute the quality of the opposition, acknowledging Spain’s capabilities by calling them "a formidable opponent". He balanced his complaint about officiating with recognition that Argentina were up against a strong side in the final. His statements combined both grievance and respect for Spain’s performance.

Milei’s intervention has added a political voice to the post-match reaction, endorsing Lionel Messi and voicing concerns over refereeing while still conceding Spain’s strength. The president’s comments reflect a mix of national disappointment and deference to the opponents that defeated Argentina 1-0.