Lionel Messi, Argentina players all skip post-match interviews after poor showing in World Cup loss
Argentina struggled on the pitch for most of Sunday’s World Cup final, but it found plenty of speed on the way out the door of MetLife Stadium.
The Argentina squad booked it out the back door after its 1-0 loss to Spain in the final match of the tournament, with players refusing to speak to waiting reporters and scurrying to the bus through a back exit to avoid the mixed zone.
Players looked stone-faced as they headed toward the waiting team bus in the loading dock area of MetLife Stadium.
Lionel Messi was the first to appear out of the side corridor, before other players and staff followed.
Not all players are required to speak to the media after a World Cup match, but teams are required to designate some players to speak with reporters in the mixed zone, which did not occur Sunday.
Argentina is looking at a possible fine for the decision.
Only coach Lionel Scaloni spoke publicly after the match in an emotional press conference.
“They were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of [Argentina], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” Scaloni said. “We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.”
Argentina is not the first team to duck its media obligations this World Cup, with France’s players skipping out on talking with the press after losing to Spain on Tuesday in the semifinals.
It’s unclear if FIFA has fined France for the stunt.
But there are plenty of questions surrounding Argentina after a lackluster effort on Sunday.
Argentina put up a mere two shots on target in the loss, and its offense was stifled by Spain for a better part of the match.
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Going forward, Argentina could be looking for a new head coach with Scaloni’s contract set to expire in December.
His comments on Sunday suggested his time running the program could be coming to an end.
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“I have an idea of what I’d like to do,” he said through tears. “I will see out my contract, and I feel the need to think. I don’t know if something as big can be done. Maybe we need to speak this through.”
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There’s also the likelihood that Sunday was Messi’s final World Cup match.
He sat emotionally on the pitch at MetLife Stadium after the final whistle.
Messi would be 43 the next time the World Cup rolls around.
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