The finals usually leave two stories. That of the champions and that of those who were one step away from the title.
Hours after Argentina’s defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup finala publication on social networks offered a different look at that second story.
It was not written by a coach or a leader. Nor by one of the footballers who played the match.
It was written by Javier “el Colo” Mac Allister, former member of the Argentine national team. Although it was addressed to his son Alexis, it ended up expressing an idea that many fans shared after the final: a defeat does not invalidate the journey of a team that once again placed Argentina in the fight for the world title.
“Nothing invalidates what they achieved”
That was the heart of the letter.
“Today we had to lose. It hurts, a lot. But sport also teaches that: that you don’t always win, although you always have to dare to try one more time.”
“Today we had to lose. It hurts, a lot. But sport also teaches that: that you don’t always win, although you always have to dare to try one more time.”
Javier Mac Allister
A few lines later the idea that ended up defining the entire publication appeared.
“Nothing invalidates what they achieved. Nothing erases the effort, commitment, camaraderie or pride with which they defended our jersey.”
The reflection did not seek to explain the defeat or distribute responsibilities. He proposed another way of looking at the tournament: evaluating the path traveled, even when the last match does not end with a trophy.
The voice of someone who also wore that shirt
The words carried special weight because they didn’t just come from a proud father. Also speaking was someone who knew what it means to represent Argentina.
Javier Mac Allister was a member of the national team in the early 1990s and shared the squad with Diego Maradona during the playoffs for the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Three decades later, it was Alexis who defended the albiceleste shirt in a World Cup final.
That experience meant that his words were read not only as the consolation of a father, but also as the reflection of someone who knew the weight of a defeat with the Argentine shirt.
Pride above the result
The letter also vindicated the recognition that the team received despite being left without the title.
“That’s why today thousands of Argentines are waiting for you, hugging you and applauding you. Because they understood that you left everything.”
The message was then returned to its original recipient.
“Be proud. We are much more proud.”
The publication began to circulate among Argentine fans, who interpreted those words as a recognition of the entire team.
How to remember a World Cup
The final section of the letter left a reflection that went beyond the result of the final.
“Tomorrow they will return stronger, with more experience and with the same enthusiasm. And when we look at the photos of this World Cup, we are not going to remember just a final: we are going to remember the smiles, the hugs, the victories, the path traveled and the immense privilege of having represented our country.”
With those words, the former defender proposed a different way of measuring a World Cup.
Not only because of the score of the last game, but because of everything a team builds to get there.
The defeat prevented Argentina from defending the title won in Qatar 2022.
Javier Mac Allister’s letter proposed another way to remember that World Cup. Not because of the result of one night, but because of the journey of a group that once again placed the Albiceleste among the best teams on the planet.
“Nothing invalidates what they achieved.”
“Nothing invalidates what they achieved.”
Javier “el Colo” Mac Allister