Shocking new details have emerged about Argentina’s misconduct in their World Cup final defeat to Spain on Sunday night, further tarnishing their reputation on the international stage. La Albiceleste produced one of the worst performances in the competition’s history, committing 26 fouls and failing to register a single shot on target during regular time.

Of course, La Roja still needed extra time to find a winner, with Ferran Torres arriving late into the box to crash home a well-taken finish at MetLife Stadium. By that stage, however, the tournament had already become better known for the lamentable sideshows that repeatedly stole the spotlight from the football itself. And while Enzo Fernandez became just the sixth player in World Cup final history to be sent off – and the third Argentine – the scenes after the final whistle were even uglier.

Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were both caught throwing punches, prompting FIFA to finally launch an investigation, while the defeated finalists refused to acknowledge their vastly superior opponents during the title celebrations.

Yet, not every unsavoury moment was caught on camera. Some incidents were left unreported at the time, and more damning revelations have since emerged, painting Argentina in an even harsher light.

More than 10 Argentine Stars’ Family Members Arrested by US Police

According to Colombian TV channel Noticias Caracol, as cited by The Mirror, police were forced to intervene after incidents in the box occupied by relatives, and arrested ‘at least a dozen people’ linked to players.

The same report states that Argentina’s players delayed their arrival at the trophy presentation as they headed toward the area where the disturbances had taken place.

So far, American authorities have not issued an official statement on the number of arrests or the potential charges and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has not commented on the alleged events.

But US authorities, bolstered ahead of the tournament by Donald Trump who made a pledge to involve ICE in security operations around stadiums, have already previously warned that any misconduct in the stands would be dealt with by the ‘full force of United States Law’.

Argentina Leave The USA With Heads Stooped Low

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Despite reaching the final, La Albiceleste would surely wish to forget this summer as quickly as possible, with their reputation in the eyes of those around the world changing for the worse following a tournament marred by questionable refereeing decisions, a complete lack of care in many of the dangerous tackles they aimed at their opponents, and the inability to accept when they had been outclassed.

Some reports would suggest they were lucky not to be in an even darker light after the full extent of the FBI’s investigation into their shady dealings emerged, only for everyone to seemingly brush it to one side. But hopefully a crushing final defeat, and expected punishments, will allow them to take a long, hard look in the mirror over the next few weeks before club football resumes.

There’s no denying Argentina have the players to bounce back, their quality was shown in the 2022 World Cup triumph. But their star power was ignored in favour of anti-football this time around, and it proved not to be the winning formula – a saving grace, many would say.

The punishment Argentina could face after their World Cup final antics against winners Spain has now emerged, as FIFA launches an investigation into the full-time brawl and several other incidents, including some from other matches this summer. La Roja won their second title at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal in a 1-0 extra-time victory.

Unfortunately, though, the final will be remembered for many sideshows away from the action itself. That comes as little surprise in a tournament that has repeatedly been overshadowed by politics and accusations of corruption involving FIFA, the US president, and others. As a result, football has increasingly become less about the beautiful game across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Leandro Paredes was sent off after the final whistle following a clash with Spain’s Eric Garcia and Gavi, while Nahuel Molina appeared to take a swing at Spain captain Rodri. But those were just two of the many incidents Argentina became involved in, as they showed a lack of class at several flashpoints throughout this summer’s knockout stage.

Argentina Facing Sanctions For Actions in Semi-Final and Final

Mike Segar via Action Images/Reuters

Despite suggestions that Gianni Infantino had shown favouritism to La Albiceleste throughout the tournament, FIFA will investigate the post-match scenes before deciding whether to take additional disciplinary action, while sanctions could also follow Argentina’s dramatic semi-final win over England.

After beating England, several Argentina players waved a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”, which breaks football’s rules that prohibits political messaging. A FIFA spokesperson said after the semi-final, as per The Independent:

The same process will apply to the final. Argentina’s Paredes and Enzo Fernandez, who was sent off in normal time for two bookable offences, will each receive a one-match ban following their red cards, to be applied in Argentina’s next competitive match. But the governing body’s Disciplinary Code states players sent off for violent conduct will be suspended for “at least three matches”.

Misconduct relating to assault, including “elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent” will result in a suspension of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time”. Sanctions can also be applied retrospectively, and there is certainly scope for the duo – along with Molina – to have their suspensions increased.

Argentina FA Could Also Be in Trouble With FIFA

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

More broadly, Argentina’s conduct after the final whistle could be deemed as “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute”, potentially opening the door to further disciplinary action, as some staff members also got involved in the ugly fallout.

The losers – who hopelessly defended their title by not recording a single shot at Unai Simon’s goal in normal time – could be seen turning their backs to Spain’s title celebrations, and barely acknowledged the achievements of their far-superior opponents as they outclassed them on and off the pitch.

Squad numbers often become synonymous with football’s biggest stars, with certain shirts carrying a legacy that stretches across generations. While attackers are typically associated with iconic numbers such as 7, 9 or 10, many players opt for a more personal choice, using their shirt to honour someone or something that has shaped their career.

With Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, their midfield maestro, Rodri, has become one of the most decorated players in the nation’s history. Despite establishing himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, the Manchester City man has worn the number 16 throughout much of his career.

But why does Rodri wear 16, and how did a relatively understated squad number become linked with one of football’s biggest stars?

Why Does Rodri Wear Number 16?

Having joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for over £60 million, Rodri claimed the number 16 shirt after it had been vacated by Sergio Agüero, who also made the move from Atletico to Manchester, when the Argentine swapped it for the number 10 shirt ahead of the 2015/16 season.

And whilst the Spaniard hasn’t publically stated the reason for his choice of shirt number, it is likely a nod to his rise through the youth ranks of Villarreal.

After spending a couple of seasons paving his way through Villarreal’s B team, the now-World Cup winner assumed the number 16 jersy for his first full season with the first team in the 2016/17 campaign, during which he featured 31 times across all competitions.

Since then, except for his single year at Atletico Madrid, the deep-lying midfielder has proudly displayed his number 16 for both club and country,

But Rodri isn’t the sole Spanish midfield icon to have tasted success whilst wearing the number 16, with Sergio Busquets donning the number throughout his time with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, winning numerous La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, alongside a European Championship and a World Cup.

Daniele De Rossi provided stellar displays while sporting the number 16 for both Roma and Italy, whilst Philipp Lahm also wore the number for the German national team.

Manchester United duo Roy Keane and Michael Carrick both gained plaudits for their efforts as the number 16’s at Old Trafford, featuring a multitude of titles across the pair.

Busquets, De Rossi, Keane and Carrick all occupied a role similar to that of Rodri and it would be no surprise if their choices of squad number influenced the World Cup winner.

Arjen Robben, Luis Suárez and Sergio Agüero are among some of the most prolific forwards to wear the number, featuring in it for Chelsea, Ajax and Manchester City respectively.

Rodri Shirt Number History

Although the number 16 has now become synonymous with the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, the Spaniard hasn’t always worn the number 16.

During his developmental days with Villarreal’s second team, Rodri wore the 29 shirt for the 2015/16 season, before sporting the number 35 for the following season.

Similarly, he donned various shirt numbers during his time with the Spanish U21 side, wearing the numbers 14, 21 and 6 in the years prior to his first call-up to the national team in 2018.

Having inially joined Atletico Madrid’s youth setup in 2007, and being subsequently released, Rodri sported another alternative number for his single-season return to the Spanish giant in 2018, opting for the number 14.