Argentina Players Refuse Handshake With Donald Trump After FIFA World Cup Final

The grand finale of the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded with a high-stakes match between Spain and Argentina, where Spain emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline. While the match itself was a display of top-tier football, the post-match events have overshadowed the sporting achievement. Two key players from the Argentine squad are currently facing severe criticism and are embroiled in a controversy that has taken the internet by storm, while the allegations center around their conduct during the official medal ceremony, where they reportedly refused to shake hands with the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

The Viral Snub of President Donald Trump

Following Argentina's 0-1 defeat at the hands of Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, a video has surfaced on social media showing a tense moment on the presentation stage. US President Donald Trump was seated on the stage, tasked with awarding medals to the participating athletes, while as the players lined up to receive their honors, Trump was seen shaking hands and offering congratulations to each individual. However, two Argentine players chose to ignore the President's gesture, while this act has been widely interpreted as a deliberate snub, leading to a wave of reactions from fans and commentators alike.

Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero Identified

The players involved in this controversial incident have been identified as Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero. The viral footage captures both athletes passing by President Trump without engaging in the customary handshake. The situation became even more contentious when it was observed that Lisandro Martinez also bypassed the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, without shaking his hand. Many fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with some suggesting that the players' actions were a result of being overwhelmed by the frustration of losing the World Cup final.

Statistical Overview of the Players

Despite the controversy surrounding their post-match behavior, both Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were integral parts of the Argentine team throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026.

• Lisandro Martinez participated in 7 matches during the tournament. He contributed 1 goal to the team's tally and was instrumental in setting up another goal for his teammates. Over the course of these 7 games, he was penalized with 2 yellow cards.
• Cristian Romero also made 7 appearances for Argentina in this edition of the World Cup. He managed to score 1 goal during his time on the pitch. Similar to Martinez, Romero's aggressive style of play resulted in him receiving 2 yellow cards during the tournament.

Additional On-Field Altercations

The tension of the final match seemed to boil over for several members of the Argentine team. Beyond the handshake incident, other players were involved in physical confrontations. Leandro Paredes was seen engaging in a fight with two players from the Spanish side, adding to the post-match chaos, while in another shocking moment, the player Molina was caught on camera punching a Spanish substitute player in the stomach after the final whistle had been blown. These incidents, combined with the refusal to shake hands with President Trump and Gianni Infantino, have painted a picture of a team struggling to cope with the disappointment of their 0-1 loss in the final.

VIDEO | Two Argentine players, Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero, refused to shake hands with US President Donald Trump during the silver medal ceremony after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

Martínez avoided shaking hands with both Trump and FIFA… pic.twitter.com/yrv1cDg0o4

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) July 20, 2026