Crowds in Buenos Aires thank Messi and the Argentine team for a golden age

Updated Monday 6 p.m. With broken hearts but an intact will to support their national team, thousands of Argentine fans gathered around the Obelisco in Buenos Aires City on Sunday to celebrate the achievements of the squad led by Lionel Messi as captain and coach Lionel Scaloni. Following the 1-0 defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, fans braved through the cold and humid weather to show their love one last time this tournament, singing chants and celebrating despite the result. EL RESPALDO DE LOS HINCHAS A LA SCALONETA EN EL OBELISCO DESDE EL DRON DE ÁMBITO🇦🇷 A pesar de la derrota, miles de hinchas se reunieron en el Obelisco para acompañar a la Selección y reconocer el camino del equipo de Lionel Scaloni y Lionel Messi.El dron de Ámbito registró… pic.twitter.com/orp2dk8aZg— Ámbito Financiero (@Ambitocom) July 20, 2026 This was Argentina’s seventh World Cup final and the fourth time they finished the tournament second. The last time had been in 2014, when they lost to Germany. In 2022, the national team won the World Cup played in Qatar. Drone photos and videos taken on Sunday night show a packed 9 de Julio Avenue, the city’s main road. Fans carried Argentine flags, banners, hats, and other Argentina-themed paraphernalia. MILES DE HINCHAS DE JUNTAN EN EL OBELISCO PARA AGRADECERLE A LA SCALONETALos hinchas agradecen el esfuerzo del equipo que alcanzó la final del Mundial por segunda edición consecutiva | 📹 Gabriela Cabrera | 📷 Mariano Fuchila pic.twitter.com/NLlkhExImf— Ámbito Financiero (@Ambitocom) July 20, 2026 The Buenos Aires City government also projected images of the players onto the Obelisco to thank the Scaloneta, the nickname of the team led by Scaloni. “One team, an entire country. Thank you, Scaloneta,” the images said. An Argentine flag left by fans at a bus stop also read, “Thank you; you made the Argentine people happy. Love is paid for with love.” A few hours into the evening, the gathering came to a halt when Buenos Aires City police forces began pushing fans out of the streets using water trucks and rubber bullets. Long rows of armed officers were seen sweeping the streets with shields. At least 15 people were arrested during the celebration, which — despite a few people throwing glass bottles — was peaceful. Emergency services reported that three men suffered heart attacks while watching the World Cup final, two of whom, aged 67 and 88, died. The third one (72) was hospitalized. Argentine media outlets also reported that a man suffered a fracture on one of his feet after falling around four meters during the celebrations. There were also reports of alcohol poisoning, trauma, lacerations, and facial and nasal injuries following the match. You may also be interested in: The day after: a somber return without Messi, no celebration and a frustrated holiday The reactions The Argentine Football Association (AFA) posted a photo of the celebrations at the Obelisco with a message thanking the fans on behalf of the team on Sunday night. “In each stadium, in each city and from every corner of the country, your support was a permanent force that pushed the team to reach the final once again,” they said in a statement. “The love they received throughout the entire journey; the banners, the messages, the gatherings, the hugs, and the unconditional support showed, once again, that the national team is part of the national heritage of all Argentines,” AFA added. Messi published a message on his Instagram on Monday, thanking the fans for their support in the tournament and messages afterward. “The pain is very big, and it’s going to be hard to heal this wound. But I’m also holding on to all the good things,” he wrote, highlighting Argentina’s odds-defying comebacks, the support of “the whole country,” and the work of his teammates “to be, once again, among the best in the world.” Nicolás Paz, the youngest in the team at 21, who was born in Spain to former Argentine player Pablo Paz, also made a publication on social media. “Today more than ever, I am proud to represent this country, this national team, and be a part of an amazing group of people who die for these colors and leave their hearts and souls at all times,” Paz wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the team after the match ended.  “I can only say thank you. I promise to give my all to bring this cup back to Argentina.”