Nicolás Paz after the final: “I’ll bring the cup to Argentina”

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Radio Gol

·20 July 2026

Nicolás Paz after the final: “I’ll bring the cup to Argentina”

Argentina midfielder Nicolás Paz shared an emotional message on social media after the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Despite the pain of the loss at MetLife Stadium, the Tenerife-born footballer reaffirmed his pride in wearing the sky-blue and white shirt, breaking the silence the delegation kept as they left the stadium.

On his Instagram account, the Como midfielder from Italy — developed in the youth ranks of Real Madrid — posted a photo of the squad along with words of gratitude to his teammates and the fans. His post reflected deep conviction in the path he chose, setting aside any doubts about having faced his homeland.

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“Today more than ever, I’m proud to represent this country, this national team, and to be part of a group of incredible people who would die for these colors and leave their heart and soul at every moment. All I can say is thank you,” the footballer wrote.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicolás Paz (@nicopaz1o)

A family bond and an unprecedented moment in World Cup finals

The 21-year-old footballer made history by becoming the first player to face the country of his birth in a World Cup final. Although he grew up in Europe and retains local customs, his connection to Argentina comes directly from his father, Pablo Paz, a former defender who was part of the national squad at the 1998 World Cup in France.

The midfielder himself — who saw minutes in this tournament in the matches against Algeria and Jordan — had previously explained how that sense of belonging was shaped within his family:

“From a very young age, my father instilled in me the passion the whole country has. He bought me jerseys with my name on them, always cheering from a little farther away than everyone else.”

Congratulations to the rival and a promise for the future

Toward the end of his post, the young left-footer maintained a gracious tone by congratulating the new world champion, ending with a firm promise aimed at the next World Cup cycle to bounce back from finishing as runner-up.

“Congratulations to Spain and to all Spaniards. Long live Argentina, always, through the good times and the bad!” he said, before declaring: “I promise to give absolutely everything I have to bring this cup back to Argentina.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.