Spanish actor Javier Bardem once again found himself in the eye of the storm after his statements about the Argentine national team during the 2026 World Cup. In a video he posted on Instagram, the actor tried to calm the waters and clarified that he never said Argentina is a xenophobic or racist country. ‘That never came out of my mouth and never will,’ he assured, visibly annoyed by the interpretation of his words.
The controversy began when, after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, Bardem shared a photo of forward Lamine Yamal with the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s celebrations for the Spanish league. At that moment, the actor linked the criticism of the Albiceleste to the support of President Javier Milei for Israel. ‘I said that it seems unfair to me that, due to Milei’s attitudes and the unconditional support he has shown for the war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu, many people support the opposing team,’ he explained in the video.
Bardem, known for his political activism, insisted that Milei does not represent the majority of Argentines. ‘Milei does not represent, by any means, the vast majority of Argentines,’ he declared, in an attempt to separate the Argentine people from the decisions of their government. He also praised the Spanish national team for ‘representing diversity’ and supporting ‘respect for the rights of groups and peoples who need a voice.’
The actor also highlighted his affection for Argentina, which he described as ‘an inspiration for many people in my country for the process of reparation to bring justice to the victims of the dictatorship.’ In that sense, he stressed that ‘Argentina, in that sense, as well as in many others, is an inspiration and a reference.’
To close, Bardem lavished praise on the Argentines who are part of his life: ‘They live there or also live in Spain, and they mean so much to me on all levels: creative, artistic, personal, intellectual, emotional… They are people I admire, respect, and love very much.’ And he concluded: ‘For me, it is important that all those things I never said and would never say are clear. Out of respect and affection for the Argentine people.’
Bardem’s statements only fueled the controversy in a context where international criticism of Argentina intensified after the World Cup final. Meanwhile, Milei’s government maintains its stance of unconditional support for Israel, which continues to generate divisions both inside and outside the country.
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Para mí que no se desdijo ni en pedo, se le escapó la verdad nomás. Argentina es un nido de racismo y antiderechos, y Milei es el jefe de esa jauría. Yo creo que Bardem, no te rajes, decíselo en la cara a ese nabo.
Para mí Bardem es otro zurdo de mierda que se caga cuando ve que lo van a funar. Milei no lo representa a él, pero representa a los argentinos de bien, no a estos progres hijos de puta. Que se vaya a llorar a su casa, esto huele a arrepentimiento de un cagón.