Lionel Messi said Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain has caused “immense” pain, while stressing that the run to a second straight final should be a source of pride. The Inter Miami forward also used the moment to thank supporters for rallying behind the national team.
Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s title match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres provided the decisive finish, ending Argentina’s hopes of turning the 2022 triumph into consecutive World Cup crowns.
The defeat brought an end to Argentina’s attempt to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
In a message posted on social media, Messi wrote: “The pain is immense and it’s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.” He added: “But I’ll also hold on to all the good memories… the support of an entire country which, together with the hard work and effort of this squad, led us to be, once again, amongst the best in the world.”
The 39-year-old also congratulated Spain and argued that Argentina should take pride in reaching consecutive World Cup finals. Messi became only the second player in men’s World Cup history to feature in three finals, following Brazil’s Cafu. He played in the deciders in 2014, 2022 and this year.
Messi remains Argentina’s most decorated footballer. He guided the country to the 2022 World Cup, added Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, and won the 2022 Finalissima. He has also captured the Ballon d’Or eight times and is widely viewed as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Messi closed by saying: “Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand united,” before adding that Argentina shared “the immense pride of being Argentine.”
