What cowardly Argentina did after leaving World Cup final speaks volumes – Messi doesn’t deserve to bow out like this

AN UTTERLY disgraceful performance in the final. And totally disgusting behaviour all around it, too. The World Cup final descended into chaos as fights broke out after full-time Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Argentina turned their backs on Spain lifting the trophy Credit: SunSport Lionel Scaloni broke down in tears and implied he will leave his job as Argentina manager when his contract expires in December. He should have been crying tears of shame after his side’s embarrassment at the MetLife Stadium in front of the watching world. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And we have almost certainly seen the end of Lionel Messi in the famous white and blue. The greatest player to grace a football pitch did not deserve to bow out like this. But as leader and idol, he must be held somewhat responsible for the crimes against football his Argentina committed on Sunday. In Qatar in 2022, it’s fair to say there was widespread and genuine happiness and satisfaction that Messi got his hands on the one prize he craved above all else. But a lot can change in three-and-a-half years because this time around, it was the complete opposite. Bar the 46million population of Argentina, everyone wanted Spain to win the World Cup final. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Lionel Messi did not cover himself in glory in the final Credit: AFP For many, Messi was the one reason that made La Albiceleste remotely tolerable. That patience has gone from wearing thin to completely evaporated now, not helped by his despicable attempt to snitch on Marc Cucurella and get him sent off. And with Messi set to retire from international football, the future looks incredibly bleak. The team has revolved around the little man for nearly 20 years – understandably – but what’s left behind is a bunch of horrible, nasty thugs more intent on fighting than playing football. Enzo Fernandez’s senseless foul on Pau Cubarsi was only matched by his stupid complaints. He and Cristian Romero will no doubt avoid the vitriol from Premier League fans next season by scarpering for transfers away from London – leaving fellow mobsters Alexis Mac Allister, Emi Martinez, Marcos Senesi and Lisandro Martinez to face the merciless boos across England. Argentina’s showing at the MetLife was downright pathetic – Shakira showed far more creativity and movement than any other South American. Well, apart from Scaloni’s assistant Roberto Ayala, who ran on and inexplicably punched Dani Olmo in the face as Leandro Paredes also took swings at Spanish champions. SunSport waited two hours for any Argentina players to speak – but none came Credit: SunSport The players made a swift exit through a side door and ignored the media Credit: SunSport Argentina didn’t take a shot in the final until the 117th minute and ended up with two in total – the same number of yellow cards Fernandez received. Zero shots on target in a World Cup final after extra-time. The tell-tale signs were there in March when they were due to face Spain in the Finalissima between the European and South American champs. But Argentina did their utmost to get out of playing that football match and tried their level best to get out of playing this one too, clearly getting confused by what sport they were here for by boxing and UFC announcers Michael and Bruce Buffer’s pre-match hyping. Argentina were already very much ready to rumble. Classless throughout, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal showed them up again after full-time, walking away from the Spain celebrations to give Messi a warm hug of commiserations. Messi and Argentina’s response minutes later was to physically turn their backs on Rodri lifting the trophy and not even have the decency to watch the winners collect their just reward. The ticker tape had not even landed on the pitch by the time the sore losers walked down the tunnel and out of sight. And yet there was still time for more. After refusing to play ball on the pitch, they also flagrantly refused to play ball off it. Not a single player took any accountability by speaking to the media or walking through the mandatory mixed zone as required by Fifa. Instead, they made an aptly cowardly exit out of a side door, slipping past and ignoring their own Argentine journalists likea group of sheepish and immature guilty children. Absolutely nobody is crying for you, Argentina… Comment now