The medal ceremony for the 2022 World Cup final took place amid a charged atmosphere, with President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino walking onto the field to a chorus of boos.
The Ceremony Unfolds
Lionel Messi, visibly shaken after Argentina's defeat to Spain, received his silver medal without turning to the U.S. president. His silence was interpreted by some viewers as a lack of respect, while others saw it as a natural response to the crushing disappointment of losing a final.
Teammates such as Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez were also caught on camera appearing to avoid the presidential entourage, fueling a narrative that the entire Argentine squad was disengaged from the political spectacle.
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni later defended Messi, hailing him as the best football player ever and emphasizing that the player's focus had been solely on the game.
Spain's 1‑0 victory, sealed by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, was built on dominant possession and a defensive masterclass that denied Argentina any shot on target during regular time. The result is widely expected to mark the conclusion of Messi's World Cup journey.