Rosario Central's controversial post about Argentina's national team

The Argentina national team continues to make headlines after their Copa del Mundo 2026 final defeat, but this time the focus is on a controversial post by Rosario Central. The club from Rosario shared a thank-you message to Lionel Scaloni's team, but the image used excluded two key figures: Lionel Messi and the coach himself. The absence of both did not go unnoticed and sparked a wave of criticism on social media.

Why were Messi and Scaloni missing from the photo?

The controversy arose because the image posted by Rosario Central was from the group stage match against Jordan, where Giovani Lo Celso, a former club player, scored a goal. In that game, Messi was not a starter, and Scaloni had rotated the squad. However, many users interpreted the omission as a deliberate act, especially due to the historic ties both have with Newell's, Rosario Central's rival.

Reactions and context of the conflict

Fans quickly recalled the past conflict between Rosario Central and the AFA, when the club was controversially declared champions. Criticism mixed with accusations of favoritism and dissatisfaction with the club's management. Despite explanations about the photo choice, the episode reignited tensions in Argentine football.

Argentina's latest performance

The Argentina national team has shown impressive form, with five consecutive wins, including their last victory 2-1 against England (2026-07-15). Despite the final loss, the team remains unbeaten, proving their strength and consolidation as one of the world's best.