Lionel Messi Forced to Share Awkward Moment with Donald Trump at World Cup Final

Lionel Messi's Argentina suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, with the forward forced to share an awkward moment with US President Donald Trump during the medal ceremony.

What happened?

The match, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, saw Spain claim the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 118th minute, securing Spain's first World Cup title since 2010.

Why it matters for Lionel Messi

The defeat marked a disappointing end to Argentina's World Cup defense, with Messi's side struggling to find a way back into the contest. Despite scoring eight goals during the tournament, Messi was unable to inspire his team to victory, and was left isolated in attack as Argentina's midfield failed to create consistent opportunities.

What comes next?

The defeat has sparked controversy, with some claiming that the "Trump curse" has struck again. The so-called "curse" claims that any team, player or organization publicly supported by the US President will eventually suffer defeat. In this case, Trump had backed Argentina to overcome Spain in the World Cup final, only for La Albiceleste to fall short.

During the medal ceremony, Trump appeared to pull Messi back as the forward attempted to move along the presentation line. The awkward exchange was captured on camera, with Messi looking visibly upset as he collected his silver medal from Trump.

The 39-year-old Messi had played a key role in Argentina's run to the final, scoring eight goals during the tournament and providing the two decisive assists in his nation's comeback victory over England in the semi-final. However, Spain's dominant possession and relentless pressure left Argentina struggling to find a way back into the contest.

The defeat marked a disappointing end to Messi's World Cup campaign, and has sparked questions about his future with the Argentina national team. Despite his age, Messi remains one of the most skilled players in the world, and will be hoping to bounce back from this defeat in the future.

The World Cup final was held on 18 July 2026, with Spain claiming a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time.