Bitter Argentina players turn their backs to Spain's World Cup trophy lift after violence marred winners' celebrations - as lip-reader reveals what furious star said to winning captain Rodri during brawl
Argentina’s sulking stars refused to acknowledge World Cup victors Spain’s trophy lift in New York on Sunday with players spotted turning their backs to the newly-crowned champions.
The 2022 champions were outplayed by Luis De La Fuente’s side in a drab encounter at the MetLife Stadium, with Lionel Messi‘s side unable to disrupt their rivals with the same aggressive, physical tactics that unsettled England in the semi-final.
Barcelona star Ferran Torres bagged the winning goal in extra time to seal the European nation’s second World Cup triumph after first winning the trophy in 2010, leaving Messi, 39, in tears at the final whistle.
The defeated finalists collected their silver medals from FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump on the stage at the MetLife Stadium but opted not to watch as Spain lifted the trophy – which is customary in finals of major tournaments.
Instead, the Argentina players, coaching team and staff walked over to the end where the majority of their fans were located and decided not to watch their rivals celebrate their title.
Footage shows Spain players holding the World Cup trophy aloft as gold confetti explodes behind them, with the Argentina team facing the other way.
The scenes came after the final descended into violence following Torres‘s extra-time winner in New Jersey.
Argentina players decided to turn their backs to Spain’s World Cup trophy lift on Sunday
The move came after ugly scenes at the end of the game which Spain won 1-0 after extra time
After the final whistle, fights broke out between the two teams. Some of Argentina’s players lost their heads as Spain’s substitutes and staff ran on to the pitch to celebrate their victory.
Torres scored a 106th-minute winner after Enzo Fernandez had been sent off in the 93rd minute following a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi – which summed up the South Americans’ deplorable approach to the game.
At full time, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.
Argentina’s Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by, while Thiago Almada was involved, too.
In the aftermath of the ugly brawl, DAZN Spain claimed Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi complained to Rodri about Las Rojas’ pre-match comments alluding to officiating concerns ahead of the final.
Messi’s side had benefitted from a series of questionable decisions heading into the showpiece event, with Rodri raising concerns before the New York contest.
‘You and [Spain team-mate Aymeric] Laporte. Both of you,’ he said to Rodri.
Spain shared fears of roughhouse tactics from Argentina, and their concerns came to fruition with Enzo Fernandez sent off for a shocking challenge on Pau Cubarsi
‘You spent the time crying and complaining about the referees, my friend. But you shouldn’t have spoken before the match, you know that? Didn’t you see what he said this week?’
Argentina were thuggish throughout the World Cup final, just as they had been when they beat England in the semis.
Astonishingly, Fernandez complained against his dismissal for a second yellow, despite it being a clear foul, before attempting to get Spain rival Marc Cucurella sent off for covering his face while talking to Messi.
New laws state that footballers who cover their mouths when speaking to a player from the opposing team must be sent off, but replays showed Cucurella was simply scratching his nose as he spoke to Argentina’s captain.
Paredes was also fortunate to not be sent off for a second bookable offence in regular time for a foul on the edge of the box which presented Lamine Yamal with a last-gasp free-kick before extra-time.
Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, and the first of those came in the 117th minute.
Donald Trump took centre stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon
It appeared as though Infantino attempted to usher Trump away – but the President remained where he was
Elsewhere, Trump took centre stage during the trophy lift, with the US President refusing to step aside to allow the victorious Spaniards to have their moment in the spotlight.
Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain’s players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.
The President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford.
Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.
It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained where he was.
He stood to the side of the team as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.
There were an estimated 1.5 to 1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again.
Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the pair undoubtedly clear.
Fans noted that one Argentina star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero – completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino.
In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could be seen receiving his silverware from Infantino before waltzing past Trump on stage.
Meanwhile, the President also presented a trio of awards to Spain’s stars; including the Young Player of the Tournament, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball – which were claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.
There was a degree of irony in regards to Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy, after previously launching a stinging attack on the country at a UN summit earlier in July for not contributing enough money to NATO.
‘Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits,’ he said. ‘Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.’
Then, on his way back to the United States on Air Force One, Trump said Spain had tried to improve their standings with him.
‘I did have issues, and I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today,’ he said.
Wayne Rooney has savaged the 2026 World Cup final halftime show as he described the performance as ‘c**p’ and said the ‘best part was when it ended’ live on BBC
‘They honoured a request for lots of payments, and if they didn’t, we wouldn’t have even talked to them.’
Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump also shook hands with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.
Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, reportedly watched the game from home due to ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported.
Trump also waved at the crowd from behind the glass.
Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the President’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game.
The World Cup final also saw a bizarre half-time show, with Madonna, Coldplay, Justin Bieber and Shakira performing during the 27-minute interval, which was described by Wayne Rooney as ‘c**p’.