Lionel Messi said Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final had left “immense” pain but praised his teammates for reaching a second successive final and thanked supporters for uniting behind the national team.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal to deny the defending champions back-to-back World Cup titles.
The result ended Argentina’s bid to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.
“The pain is immense and it’s going to take a long time for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote on social media.
“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 said Argentina could take pride in reaching consecutive World Cup finals.
Messi became only the second player after Brazil’s Cafu to appear in three men’s World Cup finals, having featured in the tournament deciders in 2014, 2022 and 2026.
The Inter Miami forward remains Argentina’s most decorated player, leading his country to the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history.
“Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand united,” Messi added, “sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.”
