Messi says loss to Spain in World Cup final is immense pain

Lionel Messi has publicly addressed the profound disappointment of Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, describing the pain as immense. The defeat, which occurred on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, denied Argentina a second consecutive title and likely marked the final World Cup appearance for the 39-year-old captain.

In an emotional statement posted to Instagram on Monday, July 20, Messi acknowledged the difficulty of the loss but reflected on the team's accomplishments. He said the pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal, but he also chooses to hold on to the positive moments from the tournament. Messi highlighted the matches the team turned around, the unwavering support from Argentina, and the collective effort that returned the squad to the pinnacle of world football. He noted that while it is hard to appreciate fully in the moment, the group achieved back-to-back World Cup finals. Messi concluded by thanking fans for their messages and congratulating Spain on their championship victory.

The final itself was a tense, defensive battle settled by a single goal in the 106th minute from Spanish...