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Published 16:04 21 Jul 2026 GMT
Amongst the chaos that broke out between Argentina and Spain’s soccer players after the final whistle was blown at Sunday’s World Cup final, two of the team’s most well-known players shared a sweet moment.
An investigation has been launched after the losing team’s Leandro Paredes launched himself at Spain’s Gavi. Then, Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at one of the Spain subs running on to join in with his team-mates’ celebrations.
Tensions were particularly high as the game was set to be legendary soccer player Lionel Messi’s last appearance for his country in an international competition, so he was hoping to go out with a bang.
Setting an example of proper sportsmanship, Messi stayed out of the scrap and instead found Spain’s youngest player, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who is on track to match the Argentinian’s record as the only person to compete in six World Cups.
The pair embraced and exchanged sweet words of encouragement, which Yamal shared with the media. He told Spanish publication Marca: “He’s the greatest player in history and someone I’ve always looked up to. After the match, I wanted to show him my respect.
“He told me to keep following my path and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words are worth as much as the gold medal hanging around my neck.
“If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be here lifting the World Cup after playing against Lionel Messi, I would have thought they were crazy.”
News of the heartwarming interaction comes shortly after Messi took to Instagram to share his dismay at losing the last World Cup he plans to compete in.
In the moving post, he wrote: “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal.
“But I also hold onto all the good things… The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, brought us back among the world’s elite once again. It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.
“I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”
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Published 16:24 20 Jul 2026 GMT
Following Spain’s victory over Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, attention has turned to off-the-pitch events, including Donald Trump’s peculiar involvement in the trophy presentation ceremony.
In particular, Trump's awkward encounter with Lamine Yamal has had people talking, with the former wonderkid shaking hands with the divisive US leader.
Spain, who overcame the reigning world champions thanks to a 106th-minute goal from Ferran Torres, claimed their second World Cup, 16 years after their first.
While tensions spilled over past the full-time whistle, with Argentina players disgracing themselves by lashing out at their Spanish opponents, Luis de la Fuente’s side quickly moved on as they collected football’s most prestigious prize.
As is traditional during such trophy presentations, both FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Trump were there to hand out medals, commiserate the losers, and congratulate the winners.
However, in true Trump style, the political figurehead ensured he was front and center, even standing in front of the podium while the players lifted the trophy.
Yet, it was his painfully awkward meeting with Yamal that was caught in slow motion that has had people cringing with second-hand embarrassment.
While going up to the podium, Yamal was congratulated by Infantino, as Trump waited with his hand out to greet the young talent.
Unfortunately for Trump, Yamal then left him hanging, having initially stuck his hand out.
While the pair eventually shook hands, there was certainly an air of awkwardness between the two, with Yamal not appearing to be massively impressed by Trump.
This wasn’t the only time that Trump was either initially ignored, or completely shunned during the celebrations.
Argentina’s Cristian Romero visibly shook hands with Infantino, but strolled right past Trump while collecting his runner-up medal, another video that was circulated widely on social media.
Despite his reportedly close relationship with Infantino, Trump has stayed away from this instalment of the World Cup, with Sunday’s final being the only game he has attended all tournament.
Published 09:01 20 Jul 2026 GMT
A lip reader claims to know what Donald Trump said to each player following the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.
Spain emerged as 1-0 victors over Messi and his Argentina side, in a scrappy final that likely won't be remembered by many.
La Roja won't care too much, as an extra-time half-volley by substitute Ferran Torres sealed the European champions' second-ever World Cup win, 16 years after their 2010 victory.
Their opponents didn't pose too much of a challenge attacking-wise, as Argentina became the first-ever team to go 90 minutes without a shot in a World Cup final.
With that being said, La Albiceleste were scrappy and disciplined in defence, with this reckless style of play leading to Enzo Fernandez being sent off in second-half stoppage time.
But following the final whistle, not only was there a brawl between the two sides, but Trump reportedly repeated the same message to players from both sides.
The US leader was joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in the medal ceremony at the New York New Jersey stadium.
He had greeted every player on stage and shaken their hands beforehand, exchanging words with them as they walked past, while Argentinian players Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero blanked his attempts at a handshake.
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, who spoke to the Express via LipReader Ltd, Trump told each Spanish player: "You are a champ," before adding: "Amazing player."
Trump was jeered by many in the stadium as he walked out alongside Infantino, but he still had a prominent part to play in the medal and trophy presentation.
He also presented Spain with the coveted World Cup trophy, loitering on stage as Spanish captain Rodri lifted it with his teammates in celebration.
Despite efforts from Infantino to get the 80-year-old US President off the stage, Trump seemed determined to stay for the trophy lift before stepping off the stage.
While many backed Argentina and their attempt to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, they showed up with a defensive game plan.
In fact, the South American side wouldn't have an attempt on goal until extra time, as they looked to nullify Spain and defend their box for the entirety of the final.
Lionel Messi barely got a sniff in what was likely his last World Cup game, but Spain were made to work to find their winner in the second period of extra time.
Hope looked all but lost after Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card for a wild challenge on Spain's Pau Cubarsi in the 92nd minute of normal time, with Spain playing against 10 men for the entirety of extra time.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was booked during the game, could be seen having a scuffle with a few Spanish players after the final whistle, with cameras seeing him lunge at some opponents.
All in all, it wasn't a good look for Messi and co as staff had to get involved to break things up.
Published 09:38 20 Jul 2026 GMT
After Argentina’s devastating defeat in the World Cup final, two players were spotted snubbing the US President during the medal ceremony.
Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were spotted not-so-subtly skipping a handshake with Donald Trump before shaking the hands of the two other hosting heads of state, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In protest of either the result or the widely documented alleged corruption that has plagued the competition, Manchester United centre-back Martinez decided not to shake hands with either FIFA boss Gianni Infantino or Trump during Argentina’s silver medal ceremony.
Unsurprisingly, Infantino also promised Trump the job of handing the victorious Spain captain Rodri the gold trophy.
While the champions, who won 1-0 in extra time, were celebrating their second World Cup win, some Argentina players pounced on their competition and viciously attacked them in anger.
Moments after the final whistle, the losing team’s Leandro Paredes launched himself at Spain’s Gavi. Then, Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at one of the Spain subs running on to join in with his team-mates’ celebrations.
Tensions were particularly high as the game was set to be legendary soccer player Lionel Messi’s last appearance for his country in an international competition, so he was hoping to go out with a bang.
The 39-year-old was even seen in tears looking at the crowd after the final whistle was blown. However, it was the team’s head coach who appeared the most emotional, even cutting a press conference short as he could not hold back the tears.
Lionel Scaloni, who guided the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, questioned his future as the team’s most important player.
He said: “I feel the need to think because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do something as big as this.
“We would have to talk about it. My place is everyone’s dream place. We tried until the very last moment to give our all as a coaching staff, the players too, and I think it’s only fair to consider it. This place is wonderful.
“I never imagined I’d be here. To move forward, a lot of things are needed. Above all, we need to reset, to form a group like this, which is unlikely to ever be formed again. It breaks my heart. I’m sorry.”
Published 10:34 21 Jul 2026 GMT
The 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a close on Sunday (July 19), with Spain emerging 1-0 victors over Lionel Messi and his Argentina side.
Ferran Torres was the hero, coming off the bench to lash home a 106th-minute extra-time half-volley past a helpless Emiliano Martinez.
It may have been Messi's last attempt at winning the biggest prize of them all as he approaches 40, but Argentina didn't do much to help him at the final hurdle.
Following a dramatic semi-final win over England, Argentina came into the final with one goal: to stop Spain at all costs.
And over the course of 90 minutes, they did, with several fouls and last-ditch tackles all over the pitch, culminating in a careless red card for Enzo Fernandez at the end of normal time.
Some players were dirtier than others, and one of the main culprits was Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes.
In fact, the former PSG man may be under investigation by FIFA for his conduct in the final.
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FIFA is reportedly investigating the "violent conduct" from Leandro Paredes after it was shown on broadcast that he was shown a straight red card after allegedly grabbing the throat of Spain's Eric Garcia.
Paredes and teammates Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in the scuffle.
But according to the BBC, Paredes was never shown a red card by referee Slavko Vincic and was instead incorrectly reported on FIFA's commentator information system.
It would be deleted shortly afterwards, as FIFA confirmed that no disciplinary action will be taken despite his actions.
Argentina is already undergoing an investigation after raising a banner about the Falklands following their last-gasp victory over England.
Parades, 32, has since taken to social media, speaking about his World Cup journey and his pride of being part of the "best" Argentinian team in history.
He posted several images from his time at this year's World Cup, including one of him passing the trophy with his silver medal.
While many may remember Paredes' main contribution to the tournament as the fight with Spain after the final whistle, he swerved the topic completely in his post.
He penned: “THANK YOU ARGENTINA !!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS,
“Today it's time to write with a lot of pain in the soul for not having been able to give them that joy that our country so deserves, but with the chest full of pride for giving everything we had and leaving our flag again on the highest!
“Thanks to everyone who was part of this selection, to this group of players who gave their lives to represent this shirt as it did until the last second of each game!
“It was an honor to be part of the best Argentinian national team in history!!”
Footage after the full-time whistle showed Paredes lunging towards his Spanish counterparts, putting his hands on both Garcia and his teammate Gavi.
The latter could be seen being thrown to the ground by the Boca Juniors midfielder.
A FIFA statement read: “Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC), the FIFA disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents,
“Further details will be communicated by the FIFA disciplinary committee once the prosecutor’s report has been completed.”
Published 09:51 20 Jul 2026 GMT
Spain claimed their second World Cup title on Sunday after a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina, but the game ended in ugly fashion as a mass brawl broke out on the pitch, with new footage revealing all.
A 106th-minute Ferran Torres strike was the difference between the sides at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but this wasn’t the only blow to be dealt on the pitch.
After the final whistle blew, Spanish celebrations began as Luis de la Fuente’s squad flooded the pitch in a jubilant mood, but Argentina defender Nahuel Molina took exception to the joy of the opposition around him.
The second-half substitute took a swing at Spain’s Rodri, who can be seen running onto the pitch to join his teammates in celebration, an assault that, unsurprisingly, prompted a fiery confrontation between the two sets of players, with the Manchester City midfielder seen pushing Molina in retaliation.
Rodri's aggressive response to the punch then prompted several players from both sides to intervene, including Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes, who lashed out by pushing and kicking Spain’s Eric Garcia, before pushing, choking, and punching Spain and Barcelona’s Gavi.
With Gavi on the ground, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder had to be restrained by several of his teammates, as scuffles broke out amongst other players and staff from both teams.
Paredes, who ought to have been sent off in both the semi-final and final, made countless cynical fouls across both hotly contested games.
Reigning champions Argentina, a famously prickly bunch, had resorted to a string of tactical fouls and dirty ways to stop Spain — the game’s pre-eminent side — from playing with their characteristic dominance and fluidity.
Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez was dismissed for a foul on Pau Curbasi in second-half stoppage time, in a game where they threw more punches (6) than had shots on target (0).
Lionel Scaloni's side have developed a reputation throughout the tournament for classless behavior, saving their best until last, but unfortunately for them, the same can't be said for their display on the pitch.
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