I know everyone talks about how Steve abandoned Bucky, which is totally valid because Bucky is likely still struggling with a lot and needed his friend's support, but I haven't seen a lot of people talking about how Steve abandoned Sam.
I mean. Sam has always been on Steve's side since the moment they met. Sam was a tie to the modern day that didn't have anything to do with fighting villains or saving the world. Sam was someone Steve could relate to, and that was the point of their first scene, showing how Sam understands Steve when Steve feels like he can't relate to anyone. Sam was on his side even when there was no benefit to it, when he was risking his life and his freedom to fight on Steve's side because he believed in Steve. Sam and Steve were the ones looking for Bucky, together. Steve trusted Sam to help him find his friend. Steve told Sam he didn't have to help, that he understood if Sam couldn't risk himself to help Steve. And Sam still helped.
Sam's introduction as a person Steve can relate to in a movie where one of Steve's emotional arcs is that he can't relate to anyone in this new time is not an accident. Sam's first scene, realizing what's bothering Steve without him saying a word, establishes him as someone with a strong sense of empathy and compassion, and when Steve doesn't know who to trust, he trusts Sam. And Sam trusts Steve in return, deciding that Steve needing him is all the reason he needs to join his side. That's huge.
They had this amazing relationship. Sam trusted Steve. Steve trusted Sam. The first thing Steve hears when everyone is undusted is Sam saying "On your left." This is a huge sign - Sam being the first sign of everyone's return, signaling it with their first words to each other - of how deep their relationship is.
And Steve leaves him. Steve leaves Sam, right after getting him back.
Imagine how devastating that must have been for Sam. To have such a deep friendship with Steve, to risk his life and freedom for Steve, only to have Steve leave and essentially say that Sam's friendship didn't mean as much as "the one that got away." That their very real relationship didn't mean as much as the possibility of a happy marriage.
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