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Argentina’s squad have been branded the sorest of sore losers following their World Cup final defeat to Spain – but one player showed his class to defy his team-mates’ shameful behaviour after full-time.
Ferran Torres’ emphatic extra-time strike proved the difference in Sunday’s bad-tempered finale, which Argentina finished with only ten men on the field after Enzo Fernandez’s sending off for a second bookable offence.
But the drama did not let up once referee Slavko Vincic had blown his whistle at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to signal the end of an unforgettable tournament.
Violent clashes between the two sets of players threatened to overshadow Spain’s jubilant celebrations, as Leandro Paredes appeared to become the second Argentinian to be given his marching orders.
According to the BBC, Paredes’ red was subsequently removed from the record and no further disciplinary action by FIFA as a consequence of the midfielder’s ugly altercation with Gavi and Eric Garcia.
The skullduggery and shoddy behaviour continued from Argentina, though, as seemingly the entire squad were seen with their backs turned while Rodri held the coveted trophy loft surrounded by his team-mates on the podium.
The shameful pictures spread like wildfire across social media, drawing a fierce backlash across the footballing world, with Argentina’s players opting to face their own supporters rather than the winning team.
Everyone apart from Jose Manuel Lopez that is, who, three days on from the final, is being showered with praise from all corners for demonstrating to his team-mates the right way to lose.
Footage which has gone viral clearly shows Lopez – an unused substitute on the day – being a good sport and courteously fronting up to Spain’s celebrations with his hands placed behind his back.
The Palmeiras striker is stood just inches apart from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, who is staring in the complete opposite direction as United States President Donald Trump greets Rodri and Co.
‘Lopez is a true gentleman,’ one commentator said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A second fan wrote: ‘Lopez kept his gaze on the new champions while the rest of the Argentine national team looked toward the stands.
‘His gesture of respect in raising Spain’s Cup says a lot about him. You can win or lose but you should never fail to show respect.’
‘All over the world they (we) are recognising that gesture of honour and sportsmanship. Great job, Flaco,’ said a third.
‘The one Argentinian player who showed not just integrity, but a willingness to stand against his own team,’ wrote another.
‘The only Argentinian player who did not turn his back and who clapped for the Spanish winners.
‘I hope a European team picks him up. Class and integrity.’
An emotional Lionel Scaloni defended his squad in the face of widespread criticism, insisting his players had set a ‘great example for our people and country’ while ‘showing how to lose’.
‘Spain were the better side – that’s the truth – but I’ll cherish the memory of [my side], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far. We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.
‘We arrived here facing a realistic situation, but if the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did, it sets a great example for our people and our country.
‘We have to pick ourselves up again, there is no other way.
‘I certainly value the runners-up spot because it takes so much to get here, and I think it deserves huge recognition.
‘Naturally, we would have liked to win, but ultimately, I feel gratitude. That is the only word I have, along with sadness, of course.
‘But when you give everything like that, regardless of whether you play well or poorly, it’s very hard to find fault.”
The Argentina head coach added: ‘We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. We are showing that we know how to lose.
‘We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.’
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