Lionel Messi was in tears after his Argentina team lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, and as he processed the loss, some think he snubbed the President of the United States.
After the match, which played out in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, President Donald Trump joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino to hand out the awards, including the silver medals to members of Team Argentina. Messi, 39, stepped up to receive his medal from Trump, 80, but did not make eye contact with him. He also appeared to be ready to keep walking before Trump could even give him his medal.
Messi did not comment on the moment and social media users had a variety of reactions, ranging from those who believed it was a complete snub to those who thought it was just the product of Messi losing a tough game.
“The lack of respect is painful to watch,” one fan wrote. “Even if I don’t agree with a person, this is the head of state.”
“Messi is whiny little baby,” another added.
But a third fan, who saw it a different way, sarcastically wrote, “Straws have been grasped.”
Lionel Messi and Donald Trump Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images; David Ramos/Getty Images
“He’d have done the same with Biden. The U.S. president means nothing to these guys. Especially right after? losing the Final,” another fan added.
Messi, for his part, spoke to the media after the match as questions swirled over his international playing future.
Lionel Messi and Donald Trump Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP
“I feel sad, but I am aware that we played our hearts out,” he said. “They were better, to be honest. We lost the game, and we accept that. That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country.”
Messi has played in six World Cups during his legendary career, dating back to 2006. Argentina won the title in 2022 and were runners-up in 2014, making him the only player ever to start in three World Cup finals.
“I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved because he’s the best football player ever stepping foot on a pitch,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said of his star after the match.
He added, “I feel sadness, but knowing that we left everything out there…I have a lot of things to say about how we got here but it’s not worth it. I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another World Cup final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth. But I’ll [hold onto] an enormous memory of this group and what they’ve done, of what it’s worth, to get this far.”
