'Messi took us to top of the world': Fans pack Buenos Aires to applaud Argentina
Argentine football fans gathered in Buenos Aires and other cities to celebrate their team despite a 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Supporters expressed pride in the team's performance and continued to show strong loyalty to Lionel Messi and the national squad.
Why it matters
The reaction demonstrates the intense cultural and social significance of football in Argentina, where the national team serves as a major source of collective identity.
Is there a more devoted fanbase in international football than Argentina's? Sunday's scenes after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final defeat to Spain once again made that question difficult to answer.Rather than leaving in silence after the 1-0 extra-time loss, Argentina supporters stayed back to cheer their team. They sang their football anthems, chanted "Messsiii, Messsiii" around the stadium and applauded the players long after the final whistle.The same emotion was visible thousands of kilometres away in Buenos Aires, where supporters gathered around the city's Obelisk to thank the team despite the defeat. Their message was simple: "Gracias iguales."ALSO READ: Lionel Messi exits FIFA World Cup in tears and as football's greatestFans had held on to hopes of another comeback until the final whistle.
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