2026 World Cup: Argentina Now Fears the Worst—Lionel Messi Doesn’t Mince Words
After the ugly scenes shown to the world at the final whistle of the lost final against Spain, Argentina is now considering the possible disciplinary consequences of what happened. FIFA has, in fact, launched an investigation into the brawl involving Leandro Paredes, who played a central role, as well as some members of the coaching staff. Initially, there was talk of a post-match red card for the midfielder, but the referee’s report makes no mention of a sending-off. His violent conduct, however, could still lead to a lengthy suspension.
Paredes’s case, incidentally, is not the only one pending. Enzo Fernández, for his vehement protests following the red card he received at the end of regulation time, could in turn face a lengthy suspension; and, looking back at the semifinal against England, we must not forget the investigation launched to assess the banner “Las Malvinas son argentinas,” displayed by Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, and Lisandro Martínez—a gesture considered a violation of the rules prohibiting political messages.
From this perspective, a precedent dating back to 2014 could come into play: prior to a friendly match, a message with the same text was displayed, and the International Federation responded with a fine of 20,000 euros. In 2022, too, the behavior of some members of the Albiceleste was condemned: most notably that of Emiliano Martínez, who made an obscene gesture during the award ceremony and an offensive imitation of Kylian Mbappé upon returning to the locker room. “El Dibu” was punished with a two-game suspension.
In this climate, Lionel Messi’s words take on even greater significance. The captain of the Seleccion posted a message that perfectly captures the Albiceleste’s state of mind—a mix of pain, pride, and fear of what might happen: “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” said La Pulga.
“But I’m also holding on to all the good things… the matches we turned around by giving it our all—matches that will remain in our memories forever—and the support of an entire country which, together with the hard work and effort of this team, has led us once again to be among the best in the world. Today it’s hard to put a value on what we’ve done, but this team has reached two consecutive World Cup finals,” added Messi, who finally reached out to his Spanish teammates, congratulating them on their World Cup victory.
The message from Argentina’s No. 10 does not hide the pain, but at the same time it highlights the journey of a team capable of reaching two consecutive World Cup finals. Yet, as the country tries to come to terms with the defeat, the shadow of possible sanctions casts a darker cloud over everything: the immediate future could be marked by far-reaching decisions.
