Argentina star Jose Manuel ‘Flaco’ Lopez has won plaudits for appearing to be the only player to acknowledge Spain’s World Cup trophy lift after suffering a 1-0 defeat on Sunday.
The Albiceleste were unable to retain the trophy after their barnstorming victory in 2022 and instead reacted poorly, with many of the players refusing to acknowledge Spain’s win.
The team was captured turning their backs on captain Rodri accepting the trophy in a gesture widely deemed bitter by international spectators.
But for Lopez, who plays for Brazilian side Palmeiras, the decision to watch the ceremony unfold and Spain lift the trophy after gaining their second star has seen him singled out as an example to his team-mates.
‘To face your defeat head-on, that is what it truly means to be an honourable person,’ one commenter said on social media.
Another added: ‘Showed character. Congratulations!’
Jose Manuel ‘Flaco’ Lopez was the only Argentina player to watch Spain lift the World Cup
The Palmeiras star was singled out as an example to his team-mates, many of whom turned their backs on Spain
A third suggested: ‘Flaco Lopez all alone showing more class than the entire squad. The others had already vanished before the anthem even started playing.’
‘The only one who respects football and his country by not letting them be made a laughingstock,’ one social media user said.
Argentina were outplayed in New York after forcing extra time against Luis de la Fuente’s side, with Ferran Torres finally grabbing the only goal of the game in the second-half of extra time.
When the final whistle blew, tensions bubbled over, with Leandro Paredes one of Argentina stars embroiled in physical violence, lashing out at Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.
FIFA have since opened an investigation into Argentina’s full-time confrontation, with the roles of other players and officials also set to be scrutinised.
Nahuel Molina hit Rodri in the torso as he was running by, resulting in the midfielder squaring up to his rival.
That saw players from both teams pile into the melee, before Paredes threw punches.
Elsewhere, 53-year-old assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also caught landing a punch on Spain’s Dani Olmo at full time.
In the aftermath of the ugly brawl, DAZN Spain claimed Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi complained to Rodri about La Roja’s pre-match comments alluding to officiating concerns ahead of the final.
As well as turning their backs on their opponents some Argentineans descended into violence after the final whistle
The South Americans had benefitted from a series of questionable decisions heading into the showpiece event, with the Manchester City midfielder raising concerns before the final.
‘You and (Spain team-mate Aymeric) Laporte. Both of you,’ Otamendi said to Rodri.
‘You spent the time crying and complaining about the referees, my friend. But you shouldn’t have spoken before the match, you know that? Didn’t you see what he said this week?’
Argentina’s post-match conduct had earlier come under scrutiny in their semi-final against England, when unused substitute Valentin Barco celebrated Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser by running towards the Three Lions’ backline rather than joining his team-mates.
Barco is later thought to have said something in the direction of Jude Bellingham which prompted the Real Madrid star to smack him on the back of his head.
The Argentine national team later unfurled a banner repeating Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, which has also seen FIFA open an investigation into their breach of the tournament’s rules around political messaging.
