The Argentina national team's manager, Lionel Scaloni, was left emotional and questioning the future of team captain Lionel Messi after their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. Scaloni paid tribute to Messi, hailing him as the 'best footballer ever' and stating that it was 'unbelievable' he was still playing at 39.
Argentina's World Cup campaign had been filled with drama and excitement, with their semi-final comeback against England only fueling their belief in winning a second successive global crown. However, their performance in the final was a pale imitation of their previous match, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez keeping Spain at bay throughout the 90 minutes.
The team's efforts were further hindered by Enzo Fernandez's red card just before extra time, increasing the difficulty of the task facing a team that ultimately suffered a thoroughly deserved 1-0 defeat. Ferran Torres' strike sealed the win for Spain, who are celebrating becoming the first nation to hold both men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously.
Scaloni's comments have sparked uncertainty over Messi's future with the national team, with the 39-year-old having been a key player in their World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, was left beaming with pride after his team's historic victory.
As Argentina come to terms with their immense disappointment, Spain are basking in the glory of their World Cup win. The victory marks a special moment in the history of Spanish football, with the team set to celebrate their achievement in the coming days.