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Lionel Messi has finally spoken publicly after Argentina’s devastating loss to Spain in the World Cup final. The legendary captain shared an emotional message with his followers, admitting that the pain of the defeat will linger for a long time.

Messi reflects on the agony of the final defeat

The Argentine star confessed to facing a deep emotional struggle following his nation’s inability to defend their world title at MetLife Stadium. In a hard-fought match that extended into extra time, Spain edged past Argentina, leaving the 39-year-old to share his heartfelt thoughts on social media for the first time since the loss.

Despite the disappointment, the Inter Miami forward remained proud of what the team has achieved over the last four years, showing his trademark resilience and leadership even in defeat.

Thanking the Argentine fans

Appearing in a record sixth World Cup, Messi quickly turned his focus from personal pain to gratitude, expressing heartfelt appreciation to the supporters who travelled across North America. Throughout the 2026 tournament, the bond between the Argentine squad and their passionate supporters stood as one of the key pillars of their campaign.

Messi emphasised that this sense of unity and togetherness was what allowed them to perform at the highest level, despite the immense pressure of attempting to retain their world crown.

“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote. “But I also hold on to all the good… The matches we turned around, giving our all — matches that will forever remain in our memories — the support of an entire country that, together with the hard work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world. Today it’s hard to fully appreciate what we accomplished, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and be together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentinian.

“I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

Emotional scenes at MetLife Stadium

The final was a night filled with anguish for Messi, who was visibly devastated as the final whistle blew at MetLife Stadium. Spain’s strategic approach effectively curtailed his influence, limiting him to just 54 touches across 120 minutes of play.

Images of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner weeping on the pitch quickly spread around the world, symbolising his unyielding dedication to Argentina’s cause, even at this late stage of his illustrious career. Despite the heartbreak, several Spanish players approached him after the match to offer words of respect and admiration.

Scaloni praises his captain’s legacy

As speculation swirled about whether Messi might retire from international football, Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni chose to highlight the legacy of his captain rather than discuss his future. Scaloni did not confirm any decision regarding Messi’s next steps but made it clear that the veteran’s contribution to the nation’s footballing history is unparalleled.

The coach urged fans to cherish the joy Messi has given them over the years, regardless of the outcome in New Jersey. Reflecting on the impact of his talisman, Scaloni said, “I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved, because he’s the greatest footballer ever to set foot on a pitch.”