Javier Milei cancels Argentina celebrations at players’ request after World Cup final loss | OneFootball

Javier Milei has scrapped plans for a national holiday and official celebrations to mark Argentina's return from the World Cup, acting on the players' request.

According to L'Équipe, the president confirmed the decision on Monday after part of the squad returned, a day after the 1-0 defeat by Spain after extra time in the final.

He said the players had six options for festivities but, given the sadness after the loss, they chose not to mark the occasion, and he urged the public to respect that call. He also described the Albiceleste's run, finalists for the second successive edition, as an extraordinary event.

Milei had proposed a public holiday, on a date chosen by the players and staff, to recognise their runners-up status, but that idea was shelved. Thousands of supporters briefly greeted part of the squad at Ezeiza airport, 32 km from Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, his Inter Miami team-mate, were absent, both flying directly back to Florida after the final. Those who arrived headed to the Argentine federation's training base nearby, acknowledging supporters lining the route.

By contrast, the 2022 homecoming after a third world title drew an estimated four to five million. The open-top bus stalled after a few kilometres in four hours, and the parade ended with a helicopter flypast over the city centre.

Source: L'Équipe