PR nightmare: LaLiga club caught in the middle of bitter Spain and Argentina World Cup rivalry
Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina may have been celebrated across much of the country, but there’s a balancing act.
Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final sparked wild celebrations across the European country, but the mood around Atlético Madrid in particular has been slightly more complicated.
No club had a bigger presence in the showpiece final than Diego Simeone’s side, who supplied four Spain internationals and six members of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina roster. Atleti may not get the global headlines like city rivals Real or Barcelona but they’ve had a growing influence on the international stage… and now a somewhat delicate public relations problem.
While much of Spain was celebrating Argentina’s defeat – despite some regional differences – those aforementioned half dozen Atlético players were on the losing side, with several becoming targets of criticism after a bruising final that ended amid accusations of cynical fouling and poor sportsmanship. All of that interpreted rather differently in back in South America.
Those six players are goalkeeper Juan Musso, defender Nahuel Molina, forwards Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico González and Giuliano Simeone. Rodrigo De Paul’s departure to Inter Miami, initially on loan, reduced what could have been an even larger Argentine contingent.
What makes the situation more striking is that, despite transfer speculation surrounding several of them, all six remain Atlético players at the time of writing.
Musso has just completed a permanent move from Atalanta after spending last season on loan.
Julián Álvarez has dominated headlines following Barcelona’s public pursuit, but Atlético president Enrique Cerezo and CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín have both insisted he will not be sold despite the growing speculation.
Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada have both been linked with possible exits in recent weeks, while Nico González’s long-term future has also generated debate. However, none has left the club and all continue to form part of Atlético’s first-team plans heading into the new season. Giuliano Simeone, maybe expectedly, remains firmly established under his father after another campaign of steady progress.
The club itself proudly highlighted the unprecedented number of players it supplied to the World Cup final. But that success, due to the behavior of the Albiceleste, now leaves Atlético in a potentially uncomfortable position.
The club has long embraced its strong Argentine identity for years through Diego Simeone, but the fallout from the World Cup final has placed several of its own players on the opposite side of Spain’s biggest sporting celebration.
For supporters, club loyalties are likely to soon replace international rivalries once LaLiga begins. And some players can expect a fiery welcome on the road.
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