Lautaro Martínez rejects conspiracy theories about the 2026 World Cup final

Lautaro Martínez pushed back against conspiracy theories surrounding the 2026 World Cup final, which Spain won against Argentina. Spain claimed a 1-0 victory through a goal by Ferran Torres. After the defeat, the commitment of Argentina’s players was questioned.

“When people talk about those theories, it bothers me. The opponent was better, and at some point that was bound to happen,” Martínez said. He did not play in the final, by decision of Scaloni, after scoring against England in the semi-final.

The forward also stressed the collective effort made despite the fatigue. He said the match against England had drained the team and that players including Otamendi, Romero, Martínez, Montiel, Messi and Álvarez had given everything. Some, he said, could barely walk but kept running, while Argentina still had a chance to win until the final action.

Martínez also described the physical and mental challenges of the tournament. He said an injury had kept him out for two months and that extra time in the knockout stage had taken its toll. The pressure, anxiety and need to come from behind had also shaped Argentina’s campaign, he told AFA Estudio. Although the team could not bring the trophy home, he said, it showed until the final whistle that it had given everything.