Lautaro Martinez expressed his disappointment at Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Final defeat to Spain, but also sent a message to Lionel Scaloni. ‘I would’ve liked to help the team on the field.’

The striker was the Capocannoniere of Serie A with title and Coppa Italia winners Inter and scored three goals in seven World Cup matches for his country.

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These included decisive late winners against Switzerland and, above all, England in the semi-final.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain celebrates with teammates after the 1-0 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

However, he was forced to watch all of the Final from the bench, as he was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Spain, where his team failed to get a single shot on target until deep into extra time.

Argentina left Lautaro Martinez on the bench

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

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Lautaro Martinez broke his silence with an Instagram post this evening.

“We gave our all to win a second consecutive World Cup, but this time it was not our destiny. I am so very proud to be ARGENTINE,” he wrote.

“I would’ve liked to have tried to help the team on the field, but never mind. Thank you to everyone who supported us during this tournament, travelling kilometre after kilometre to be close to us, and all those who encouraged us from every corner of our country.”

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lautaro Javier Martinez (@lautaromartinez)

Lautaro Martinez had started the first four matches in the World Cup but then lost his place to Julian Alvarez.

The decision to use the final substitution in extra time to bring on defender Marco Senesi, leaving the Inter striker on the bench throughout, was one of the most criticized choices made by coach Scaloni in the Argentine media.

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The Inter captain scored 40 goals with 13 assists in 84 senior caps for Argentina, winning the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024.