Football icon Lionel Messi has publicly addressed the 'immense pain' he is experiencing following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The loss, secured by an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres, denied Argentina back-to-back titles and is widely anticipated to mark Messi's final appearance in the tournament, as he turned 39 during the competition.
In an emotional Instagram post, shared less than 24 hours after the final in New Jersey, Messi reflected on the team's journey and the unwavering support from his home country. "The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good," he wrote. He highlighted the team's ability to turn matches around and the pride of once again being among the world's best, acknowledging the difficulty of fully appreciating their achievement in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.
Messi’s statement also extended congratulations to Spain for their victory. The final itself was not without controversy, with a mass brawl reportedly breaking out at full-time involving Argentina's Leandro Paredes and celebrating Spanish players, underscoring the high tensions of the momentous occasion.
Despite the widespread expectation that this was Messi's World Cup swansong, he did not explicitly confirm his retirement from international football. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, in a tearful post-match press conference, also cast doubt on the forward's future. "He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable," Scaloni stated, adding, "It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him." Scaloni concluded by expressing his hope that everyone is proud of Messi, whom he described as "the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch."
Throughout the tournament, Messi delivered a stellar performance, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. The final against Spain was the only match in which he failed to directly contribute a goal, underscoring his pivotal role in Argentina's campaign to reach their second consecutive World Cup final.