De Paul Defends the National Team and Messi From Criticism and Conspiracies After Losing the Final.

De Paul breaks the silence on Instagram, pain, pride, and defense of Messi after the final.

Pain from the defeat

Rodrigo De Paul responded to the criticism directed at the Argentine national team and Lionel Messi after the loss in the 2026 World Cup final. The midfielder used his official Instagram account to post a strong message, filled with pain but also with pride, in which he rejected the accusations of conspiracy and defended the bond that the team maintains with the people.

In his post, De Paul acknowledged the frustration of not being able to bring the cup back to the country: "The biggest pain is that we couldn't bring the World Cup back to our country, because if there's anyone who deserved to experience that feeling again, it was you."

Response to criticism

The player also took aim at those who spread theories of favoritism towards the Albiceleste during the tournament: "Today I see how many people were expecting this loss, spreading unfounded conspiracies throughout the World Cup to ease the pain of others for not being able to experience what all Argentines were experiencing." For De Paul, those critical voices only reaffirmed the passion and love that the jersey inspires in millions of Argentines

Argentine pride intact

He firmly concluded his message, making clear his pride in representing the country: "It will hurt for a long time, but today more than ever I am proud to be Argentine." The Instagram post quickly went viral, generating massive support from fans who valued his defense of the team and of Messi, the central figure of the national team.

The defeat to Spain in the final left open wounds, but De Paul's words reflect the spirit of a team that, despite the loss, continues to feel supported by its people and is convinced that the albiceleste jersey is defended with passion, even in the face of adversity.