Pride without flags of defeat
Thousands of Argentines gathered around the Obelisk in Buenos Aires on Sunday. It was not to celebrate a title, but to give thanks. The national team lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final, but there was no shortage of affection.
With their faces painted light blue and white, the fans sang and jumped to the rhythm of the drums. Fireworks illuminated the sky while images of the players and Lionel Messi’s goals during the tournament were projected on the Obelisk.
“Gratitude, gratitude because they have had a good championship. To be among the two best in the world today is very gratifying for us,” Andrea Galaxio, one of the thousands of Argentines cheering there, told The Associated Press.
Fans began to gather early, braving the rain and cold of the southern winter.
“This represents the team: the determination, the courage, the Argentine suffering and, above all, the resilience in the face of adversity. It will always, always be like this,” said Pablo Amarillo, 41, as he looked at the crowd.
Argentina lost the opportunity to win its fourth World Cup when it fell to Spain in overtime. With the victory, Spain won its second world title, the first in 16 years.
President Javier Milei congratulated the players minutes after the game.
“Thank you very much, players…!!! Until the end with the boots on. Argentina always at the top,” he wrote in X.
The United States ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, also joined.
“Thank you to the Scaloneta for this magnificent World Cup! An elite team that, with resilience, courage and an exceptional level of play, earned the respect and applause of the whole world,” he published on X.
The match almost certainly marked the last World Cup match for Messi, who at 39 years old played in his third final.
“Messi transcends football. He tells us that we must never give up, that we must insist until we can’t take it anymore,” said Tomás Aramayo, 21, at the Fan Fest in Palermo. “Messi gave everything to see us happy.”
