President Javier Milei referred this Thursday to the flag that bore the phrase «the Malvinas are Argentine» and was displayed by Argentina’s national team players on the field after the victory against England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal. With a tone that sought to downplay the controversy, the president stated that «things that happen on the pitch with players are not part of diplomacy» and that, in the worst case, Argentina will receive a financial sanction of US$30,000.
«In the worst case, it will be a US$30,000 sanction,» said Milei, making it clear that he is not too concerned about a possible FIFA punishment. But he did not stop there: he also took a direct jab at his vice president, Victoria Villarruel, though without naming her. Days before the match, Villarruel had called the English «pirate usurpers» on social media, which sparked a strong complaint from the British embassy. Milei, without mentioning her, fired back: «From a position of responsibility, certain errors are inadmissible and could have very negative consequences.»
The President highlighted that «emotion won» after the national team’s victory over England, but asked not to mix things up. «It is a feeling that lies within all Argentines and it is perfectly valid for them to want to express themselves and do so. But that should not lead to misinterpretations: a football match is a football match,» he stated. And he added: «That is how the head coach [Lionel Scaloni] understood it, that is how the veterans understood it, and indeed the Malvinas are Argentine, we will recover them through diplomacy and with intelligence in our actions.»
In that regard, Milei insisted that the rapprochement with Donald Trump’s US government «allowed the United Nations to force England to sit down and negotiate» with Argentina over the Malvinas Islands. «That is on a different track and must be handled intelligently. If we start mixing things up, we will make mistakes,» he asserted.
The head of state also addressed the possibility of the Argentine national team being received at the Casa Rosada if they achieve a back-to-back championship. «I already stated that the operation is organized by my sister [Presidential General Secretary Karina Milei] so that the Casa Rosada is completely cleared in case the players decide to use the balcony to interact with Argentines. It is guaranteed that no political figure or person linked to politics will tarnish or try to appropriate an achievement of the players,» he indicated.
Additionally, he confirmed that he will not go to see the final against Spain, which will be in New Jersey. «No way. I watch the matches from Olivos just like on the first day. It’s a superstition; I watch the matches in the Olivos cinema with my sister,» he confessed.
On the other hand, Milei defended the number two official of the Ministry of Justice, Santiago Viola, who traveled last week to the United States to attend World Cup matches. The official, who is under the purview of Juan Bautista Mahiques, was in Kansas City last Saturday to see the victory over Switzerland and yesterday in Atlanta for the qualification to the final. «Those who do not travel are the line of ministers; the second-tier officials are another matter. If an official had vacation time coming and decides to take it, I don’t see the problem. I find it much more complicated and repugnant people who cry that they can’t make ends meet and show up with expensive tickets at matches,» the President justified.
Viola’s stay, which was initially supposed to be just for the weekend, was extended to eight days. He will return this Friday to the country, according to sources from his entourage. Viola traveled last Thursday on an Aerolíneas Argentinas flight to Miami, where he has relatives. The ticket for the quarterfinals was bought on the secondary market, although it is unknown how much he paid. His entourage assured that all expenses were covered by himself.
para mi milei es un vendepatria minimiza la deuda con malvinas y se preocupa por la fifa un choreo la bandera vale mas que 30 lucas pero el solo piensa en negocios villarruel es una belicista y el otro se va de vacaciones todo un circo viva la soberania no el choreo de los politicos
Para mí, Milei la clavó. La emoción de los pibes vale más que cualquier multa de la FIFA. Los zurdos pacifistas lloran por 30 mil dólares, pero no entienden Malvinas. Y Villarruel, siempre queriendo hacer quilombo con sus huevadas belicistas, que se dedique a laburar y deje a los jugadores ser patriotas.