Argentina have been crushed 1-0 within the remaining by Spain in what has been rumoured to be Lionel Messi’s remaining World Cup sport.
Printed On 21 Jul 2026
After what might have been his remaining World Cup match, Lionel Messi was in tears on the sphere on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ruing a missed likelihood to win a second consecutive title for Argentina.
Messi, with out hinting whether or not his World Cup profession was formally by means of, congratulated Spain, who beat Argentina 1-0 within the remaining, and mentioned the recollections would final, in an Instagram put up on Monday night.
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“The ache is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,” Messi wrote in his native Spanish alongside a photograph of him bearing a silver medal.
“However I additionally maintain onto all the nice issues… The matches we circled by giving it our all – moments that may stay in our recollections eternally – and the help of a complete nation which, mixed with this group’s arduous work and effort, introduced us again among the many world’s elite as soon as once more.
“It’s arduous to totally respect our achievement proper now, however this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”
Argentina defeated France on penalty kicks following a 3-3 draw within the 2022 remaining in Qatar, incomes the final piece of main {hardware} Messi had but to win in his illustrious profession.
Argentina have been as soon as once more top-of-the-line groups within the 2026 match in North America. They rallied previous England within the semifinal earlier than developing in opposition to a Spanish defence that held them with no shot on purpose.
Messi turned 39 through the match and can flip 43 through the 2030 World Cup, which will probably be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
“Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart for each greeting and message,” Messi wrote. “As soon as once more, we managed to unite as a rustic and stand collectively, sharing the immense satisfaction of being Argentine.
“I additionally wish to congratulate Spain on profitable the championship.”
Messi broke Miroslav Klose’s report of 16 all-time World Cup objectives early within the match, and he completed with 21, although he was caught and surpassed by Kylian Mbappe (22).
The French star additionally denied Messi a Golden Boot, ending with 10 objectives to the Argentine’s eight.
ESPN reported on Monday that Messi and his nationwide group and membership teammate Rodrigo De Paul won’t play the following two regular-season matches for Inter Miami, nor take part within the MLS All-Star Recreation, as they relaxation and recuperate from the World Cup.
