Messi reflects on ‘immense’ pain as Argentina’s World Cup bid ends in defeat to Spain
Authorities investigate post-match behaviour as Argentina’s historically poor performance ends hopes of back-to-back titles
Lionel Messi has issued an emotional statement to Argentina supporters following the national team’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, confirming the match marks the end of his World Cup career. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner described the loss as leaving an “immense” wound that will take time to heal, acknowledging the heartbreak for a nation that had hoped for back-to-back titles.
The final, contested on Sunday, saw Spain, the reigning European champions, secure victory with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 117th minute. Argentina’s performance was widely regarded as historically disappointing, with manager Lionel Scaloni’s side managing only two shots in the entire match. Their first effort on target did not occur until the 117th minute, immediately following Torres’ match-winning strike.
Messi, who served as the tournament’s talisman with eight goals and four assists, addressed the supporters directly after the final whistle. Cited by the Daily Mail, he stated: “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things.” He pointed to the team’s resilience in turning around matches and the support of the country as factors that had previously brought Argentina back among the world’s elite.
Despite the defeat, Messi highlighted the achievement of reaching two consecutive World Cup finals. “It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message,” he said. However, the immediate aftermath was marred by tension, with tempers flaring among the players as they reacted to the loss.
Post-match scenes included heated exchanges involving midfielder Leandro Paredes, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the team’s behaviour. While this final is confirmed as Messi’s last World Cup appearance, it remains uncertain whether he has played his final game for the Argentina national team overall.
