Argentina president Javier Milei declares national holiday after World | Football | Sport

Argentina president Javier Milei has announced the country will enjoy a national bank holiday despite losing the World Cup final.

The final descended into chaos at full-time in New Jersey, when Argentinian players lashed out at their defeat to Spain. A Ferran Torres strike in extra time was enough to end Argentinian hopes of retaining the title.

By that point, Chelsea‘s Enzo Fernandez – who scored to break English hearts in the semi-finals – had been sent off for Argentina for a reckless tackle. But there were more ugly scenes as Argentina’s Leandro Parades was sent off for kicking out and shoving his opponents to the ground after the final whistle had gone.

Lionel Messi, who likely has played his final World Cup game aged 39, was in tears after the tournament finished. It was his third final and second loss, having beaten France in Qatar four years ago, but losing to Germany 1-0 in extra time at the 2014 tournament hosted in Brazil.

Several hours after Spain lifted the trophy with Donald Trump photobombing proceedings, Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, announced the country is in line for a bank holiday. Unlike Spanish dignitaries, Milei did not attend the final, citing superstition.

However, the national holiday date will be chosen by Argentina’s players, not the government, he added.

An English translation of Milei’s post in X in Spanish said: “WORLD CELEBRATION.

“Given the concern about the celebrations for the achievement reached by the Argentine National Team, I inform the population that, depending on what the players and the technical staff decide regarding the day to celebrate, it will be declared a national holiday.”

Argentinians enjoyed a bank holiday after winning the 2022 World Cup. It occurred on the Tuesday after the final, when players returned to Buenos Aires for a parade.

Four years ago, it seemed like Argentina had the football world at its feet. However, it now appears the team will undergo a period of rebuilding.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni left his press conference in tears after the final, when he was asked if he would take the team forward after his contract expires in December.

“I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future,” the victorious Qatar 2022 coach said. “Because I’m not sure this can be achieved again.”

Argentina will almost certainly go into the next World Cup without star skipper Messi, who sobbed after what looks to be his last game on the global stage. Messi is 39 years old and would be 43 by the time the next World Cup comes around, held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco – with three matches played in South America to mark the tournament’s 100th birthday.

“He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable,” Scaloni said. “It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him.

“I hope everyone is proud of him, because he is the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch.”

Captain Messi is 39 years old and would be 43 by the time the next World Cup comes around, held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco – with three matches played in South America to mark the tournament’s 100th birthday.

However, Scaloni was magnanimous in defeat, attempting to stop his players from fighting Spaniards at full time. He also accepted Spain were the better team.

He went on: “I feel sadness but knowing that we left everything out there. I have a lot of things to say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it.

“I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another World Cup final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth.

“But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they have done, of what it’s worth to get this far. We have to give it huge validity because it takes a lot to get here.”