Gianni Infantino’s astonishing letter congratulating Argentina on finishing second at the World Cup is LEAKED as FIFA president hails Lionel Messi and Co’s ‘professionalism’ despite thuggish post-match antics
A leaked letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that he congratulated Argentina on finishing runners-up at the World Cup, praising the squad's "professionalism" despite ugly scenes involving Lionel Messi and teammates after their final defeat to Spain. The disclosure has raised eyebrows given the timing, as it followed widely criticised post-match conduct by several Argentina players, prompting questions about FIFA's response to poor sportsmanship at its showpiece tournament.
Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain, with the aftermath marked by what has been described as violent and thuggish behaviour from members of the losing side. Despite this, Infantino's letter reportedly focused on commending the team's conduct throughout the competition, a stance that sits awkwardly alongside the reported post-match altercations and has fuelled criticism of the FIFA chief's handling of the incident.
- Infantino's leaked letter praised Argentina's "professionalism" after World Cup final loss
- Argentina lost final to Spain amid ugly post-match scenes involving players
- Letter's timing criticised given reports of thuggish conduct after the match
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those defending Infantino's letter point out that FIFA presidents traditionally send warm congratulatory notes to all medal-winning nations, and singling out Argentina for criticism would have been needlessly provocative given the team's extraordinary achievement in reaching the final. They argue Messi and his teammates were playing with immense passion in the heat of a historic occasion, that on-pitch celebrations and rivalries are part of football's emotional fabric, and that Infantino's praise for their 'professionalism' reasonably reflects the squad's conduct throughout a gruelling tournament rather than isolated flashpoints after the final whistle.
The case against
Critics argue that Infantino's letter was strikingly tone-deaf given widely seen incidents, such as taunting of Dutch players and provocative goal celebrations, which many felt crossed the line from passionate celebration into unsporting behaviour. They contend that as the custodian of the game's image and disciplinary standards, the FIFA president has a responsibility to hold all nations, especially the eventual champions, to a consistent code of conduct, and that effusive, uncritical praise risks normalising poor sportsmanship and undermines FIFA's own stated commitment to fair play and respect on the pitch.