World Cup runners-up Argentina returned home quietly after their 1-0 loss to Spain, with President Javier Milei revealing the players chose not to hold a victory parade or celebrate in public. Despite many offers from the government, the squad decided they were too disappointed in the final defeat to celebrate.Speaking to LN+, Milei said the players were offered many ways to celebrate their campaign but turned them all down.“The players were given the option to hold six different celebrations. However, obviously, and because of the sadness caused to them by their inability to win the final, they decided not to hold any celebrations,” he said.The President also offered to host the team at Casa Rosada if they won the World Cup and later proposed a national holiday after they finished runners-up, but those plans were rejected after the players’ decision.Speaking about the loss, he added, “The game was very difficult for us on Sunday, and yet Argentina could have got an equalizer in the last minutes, although the pace of the game was not really in Argentina’s favor.”But he praised the team, saying that Argentina “always stood up and behaved in a measured way throughout the tournament, even when the referees took incorrect positions towards the Argentine national team in some games, while they responded in a measured and organized way, and they were always distinguished by fighting until the end.”Milei also defended Lionel Messi, who did not return to Argentina with the rest of the squad.“I think we have a lot of gratitude to Messi, because of all the amazing things he gives on the pitch. And for us, those who love football, there are no words to describe it,” he said, calling Messi “the best player of all time,” he added. The President also urged fans to respect Messi’s choice to stay away, saying, “I don’t think it’s a moment he’s comfortable with, and it should be taken into account.”Reflecting on the final, Milei felt Argentina suffered from poor refereeing during the tournament but praised the players for remaining composed. He also described Spain as “a formidable opponent” and said Argentina fought to the end despite difficult conditions.