Argentina and captain Lionel Messi have come under intense criticism following their 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with reports of online abuse and hostility against Argentines emerging in several countries.
According to Argentine media, some citizens living or travelling abroad have reported being taunted and insulted after the final. Several also claimed they were accused of racism, while others said they received abusive messages on social media.
One widely circulated video allegedly showed a man wearing an Argentina jersey being assaulted at a metro station in Madrid. However, Spanish authorities said no official complaint had been filed regarding the incident.
The backlash follows a turbulent World Cup campaign for Argentina, who faced repeated accusations of receiving favourable treatment from match officials. Critics pointed to controversial refereeing decisions, while some opposing players and coaches alleged that FIFA wanted Messi and Argentina to progress deep into the tournament. FIFA denied the claims, defending its officiating team.
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Argentina also attracted criticism after players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” following their semi-final victory over England, reviving the long-running dispute over the Falkland Islands. FIFA has since confirmed it is reviewing the incident.
Tensions escalated further during the final after midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with Spanish players in a heated confrontation.
Researchers monitoring online discussions said much of the criticism centred on allegations of refereeing bias, racism and political controversies, adding that many posts appeared to have been artificially amplified across social media platforms.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the Argentine Football Association is considering legal action against individuals and media organisations accused of spreading false information and defamatory content about the national team during the tournament. A legal team is reportedly gathering evidence as the federation weighs its next steps.
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