World Cup winners Argentina returned home quietly after losing 1-0 to Spain, with president Javier Milei revealing the players chose not to hold a victory rally or public celebration. Despite the government’s many concessions, the team thought they were too disappointed with the final defeat to celebrate.Speaking to LN+, Milei said that the players were offered several ways to enjoy their campaign but they refused all of them.“These players were given the opportunity to do six celebrations. But, understandably, and because of the sadness that made them not win the final, they decided not to do any celebrations,” he said.The president also offered to host the team at the Casa Rosada if they won the World Cup and later announced a national holiday after the finals, but those plans were scrapped following the players’ decision.Regarding the defeat, he added, “The game was very difficult for us on Sunday, but Argentina could have scored in the last minute, even though the play was not in Argentina’s favor.But he praised the team, saying that Argentina “always controlled and acted correctly throughout the competition, even when the opposition took the wrong position for the Argentine national team in some games, because they responded in a measured and organized way, and they always distinguished themselves and fought until the end.”Milei also defended Lionel Messi, who did not return to Argentina with the rest.“I think we have a lot to thank Messi for, for all the good things he has given on the pitch. And for us, who love football, there are no words to describe it,” he said, calling Messi “the best player of all time,” he added. The president also urged fans to respect Messi’s decision not to leave, saying, “I don’t think this is a time when he is comfortable, and this should also be considered.”In a final reflection, Milei felt that Argentina were not well taken care of in the match but praised the players for their composure. He said that Spain is a “very strong opponent” and said that Argentina fought until the end despite the difficulties.
