Argentina will celebrate a national holiday despite losing the World Cup final, president Javier Milei has announced — but the date will be chosen by the players, not the government.
The South Americans fell 1-0 to Spain in New Jersey on Sunday, beaten by a Ferran Torres strike in extra time. By that point, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez — who scored to break English hearts in the semi-finals — had already been sent off. The match descended into chaos after full time as clashes broke out between both sets of players, with Argentina's Leandro Paredes sent off for kicking out and shoving opponents.
“Argentina will have a bank holiday after losing World Cup final, players choose date.”
Lionel Messi, who likely played his final World Cup game aged 39, was in tears after the defeat. It was his third final and second loss, having beaten France in Qatar four years ago but losing to Germany 1-0 in extra time at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Several hours after Spain lifted the trophy — with Donald Trump photobombing proceedings — Milei announced the holiday. Unlike Spanish dignitaries, the president did not attend the final, citing superstition. In a post on X, he wrote: "WORLD CELEBRATION. Given the concern about the celebrations for the achievement reached by the Argentine National Team, I inform the population that, depending on what the players and the technical staff decide regarding the day to celebrate, it will be declared a national holiday."
Argentinians enjoyed a bank holiday after winning the 2022 World Cup on the Tuesday following the final, when players returned to Buenos Aires for a parade. Four years ago, the team had the football world at its feet; now it faces a period of rebuilding.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni left his press conference in tears after being asked if he would take the team forward after his contract expires in December. “I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future,” the victorious Qatar 2022 coach said. “Because I’m not sure this can be achieved again.”
Argentina will almost certainly go into the next World Cup without Messi, who sobbed after what looks to be his last game on the global stage. At 39, he would be 43 by the time the next tournament comes around, held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with three matches played in South America to mark its 100th birthday.
“He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable,” Scaloni said. “It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to.”