Why do people hate Argentina soccer? Leandro Paredes fight puts World Cup 'sore loser' moments in spotlight

One of the earliest skills taught to athletes is a skill not related to their athletic play. It's about showing good sportsmanship and losing with grace, something many soccer fans — rightly or wrongly — seem to believe Argentina needs to work on.

While the players and country celebrated tenfold in 2022 after their first World Cup trophy since 1986, the reaction after their narrow 1-0 loss to Spain in 2026 was the polar opposite. No one was asking La Albiceleste and their fans to be prancing around with nothing but sunshine and rainbows on their minds, but a lot of extracurriculars on the pitch after the match muddied the waters.

Some members of the Argentine squad were seen putting themselves between Spain and their post-match celebrations. The Spanish team was subject to punches, shoves and even a small kick courtesy of Argentina.

Here's why many soccer fans have shown some immense distaste for Argentina during the 2026 World Cup.

MORE: Who were the biggest winners and losers at the 2026 World Cup?

Why does everyone hate Argentina soccer?

While many non-Argentinian soccer fans adore Messi and his Argentinian team, there's a crowd on the other side that does not share those same friendly feelings.

Primarily, there is an audience in the soccer world that believes the sport is rigged in Messi's favor. In 2022, when the team won their first World Cup in 36 years, many fans cited referees being more inclined to blow their whistle after an Argentinian player fell onto the pitch, whether they were touched or simulating.

The team does have an identity for playing physical soccer as well, some of which goes a little above what is deemed acceptable.

“In the last few matches we’ve seen things that really surprised us, incidents that were ignored,” Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte said, per The Athletic. “Especially with Argentina, who are a team that leave a lot of little messages with their challenges.”

Another look at the challenge from Enzo Fernández that resulted in his second yellow card and subsequent sending-off. pic.twitter.com/6TAclFhmDY

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026

Unfortunately, a well-publicized minority of Argentine fans have also shown racist tendencies and chants towards opposing players. One writer from Brazil explained that she wanted to share her pride in a South American team going far in the tournament, but second-guessed herself due to past circumstances.

“I have always been an admirer of the hermanos [a name Brazilians call Argentinians] and would have loved to cheer on a fellow South American team,” Julia Duailibi wrote after Argentina’s win over England in the semifinal, according to The Guardian. “But I admit that the racist scenes involving a minority of the fans, and the silence of the majority on the pitch, turned my stomach.”

During the Argentina vs. Cape Verde match on July 3, FIFA released a statement after popular streamer iShowSpeed was subject to alleged racist statements made by Argentinian fans. Speed has also allegedly heard more racist remarks in future matches that featured Team Argentina, including at the Round of 16 match against Egypt.

— No Jumper (@nojumper) July 8, 2026

After Argentina's 1-0 loss in the World Cup final to Spain, many viewers gained a few more reasons as to why Messi's team is not universally well-received.

MORE: What 2030 World Cup Argentina roster could look like if Lionel Messi retires

Argentina 'sore loser' moments vs. Spain

Unfortunately for the South American side, Argentina did not exactly lose with grace. Defeat at the World Cup, especially for nations that prioritize soccer as their most successful sport, often comes as an ice-cold bucket of water dumped on oneself, intertwined with major heartbreak.

After their 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, some players on the La Albiceleste squad left a bit to be desired in the humility category. Here's a look at the most notable moments that came after Argentina's defeat.

Leandro Paredes string of altercations

The Argentine midfielder was involved in multiple altercations after the match. First, Paredes was seen pushing Spanish defender Eric Garcia. This move was then followed by Paredes sticking his leg out behind a stumbling Garcia, who ended up falling over. With a referee in between the feuding duo, Paredes gave Garcia one more arm extension to the face before the next Spanish player made his way towards the scuffle.

Spanish midfielder Gavi then sprinted towards Paredes in an attempt to defend his teammate. Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada came to the aid of his Argentinian teammate by holding Spain's youngster back. Gavi does appear to swing at Paredes, which the Argentines did not appreciate. While Almada threw Gavi down on the pitch, Paredes looked to follow Gavi's swing with one of his own. The attention now had cast a wide net, and many of Spain's players ran over to intervene in the altercation. Paredes was given a post-match red card for the incidents.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 20, 2026

MORE: Watch Spain fans celebrate World Cup final victory in streets

Nahuel Molina throws punch at Rodri

Just before the Paredes and Almada vs. Garcia and Gavi bout, Spain's bench ran onto the field after referee Slavko Vincic blew his whistle after the final five minutes of stoppage time had concluded. One of those Spanish players was the team captain Rodri, who has made a strong case for another Ballon d'Or in his hardware collection with the World Cup win.

As Rodri was running past Argentinian defender Nahuel Molina, the latter stuck out his arm with what looked like a punch thrown at the Spanish captain. After a couple of steps, Rodri realized what had just happened and circled back to confront Molina. In the video, the Argentine appears to stick his chest out towards Rodri to bring the two face-to-face. Spain's captain looks to ask Molina something along the lines of "What was that for?" before shoving him away.

— Lewis Mackenzie (@Lewismac101) July 19, 2026

Argentina turn backs towards Spain during celebration

As golden bits of confetti burst into the East Rutherford air to celebrate Spain hoisting the World Cup trophy, the vast majority of the Argentinian team had their backs turned to the stage. Only one player appears to have looked at the Spanish team lifting the trophy to the sky.

Some fans who have defended Argentina cited that the backs turned were due to the team addressing their fans. La Albiceleste was staring at the massive blue-and-white wall behind one of the nets at MetLife Stadium. Playing devil's advocate, the team could have briefly turned around at some point to show better sportsmanship.

Argentina players with their backs to the Spain trophy presentation pic.twitter.com/NlQH9oNH1U

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 19, 2026

MORE: Why Rodri was awarded World Cup Golden Ball over Messi, Mbappe