Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez says his country played with “pride and humility” at the World Cup.

The Chelsea midfielder was sent off during the 1-0 extra-time defeat by Spain in Sunday’s final after picking up a second yellow card in the 93rd minute.

The post-full-time scenes have since triggered a FIFA investigation, after Argentina’s Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes and Thiago Almada were involved in a confrontation with Rodri, Gavi and Eric Garcia of Spain. As well as Fernandez, four other players and head coach Lionel Scaloni were booked during the final, taking Argentina’s total bookings to 14 for the tournament.

Argentina’s performance and the post-game skirmish were roundly criticised after the final. Former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger called Argentina players “disgusting sportsmen”, while the former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos wrote that “football won” and ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart, working as a pundit for the BBC, said Argentina’s behaviour was “disgusting”. Argentina’s aggressive approach during their semi-final win over England, in which they committed 15 fouls, was also criticised.

In a statement posted on his Instagram account, though, Fernandez praised Argentina for being “a shining example” for “years”.

“Competing is not always just about winning,” the 25-year-old wrote, “but about giving your all for the shirt.”

“This team has always stood up for itself, competed to the very best of its ability and defended these colours with pride, humility and commitment.”

Fernandez went on to thank Argentina’s fans for their “unconditional support” and for “making us feel at home wherever we are in the world.”

He added that playing for his country was the “greatest honour” of his career and that he would “continue to give my all every time I am called upon to defend it.”

After they returned to Argentina following their defeat, thousands of fans lined the streets to greet Scaloni’s team, running and cheering alongside an open-top bus and letting off fireworks, according to a post from the team’s social media account.

Simply 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚, don’t try to understand it ❤️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DAjDW3yxgX

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 21, 2026

Fernandez’s words followed statements from many of Argentina’s beaten finalists, including Lionel Messi, who congratulated winners Spain as he said the “pain (of losing) is immense, and the wound will take time to heal.”

Fernandez has made 49 international appearances since his debut in September 2022, scoring twice against Egypt and England on Argentina’s path to the final.