Lionel Messi broke his silence the day after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain . Visibly moved when receiving his medal, the Albiceleste captain expressed his pain in a message posted on social media, while also praising his team's performance and the support of the Argentine people.
"It will take time for this wound to heal."
Lionel Messi is not trying to downplay the disappointment caused by this final. " The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal," wrote the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, still affected by his team's defeat.
Argentina hoped to retain the title won in Qatar in 2022 and become the first men's national team since Brazil in 1962 to win two consecutive World Cups. Their run ended just minutes before a potential penalty shootout. After 90 goalless minutes, Ferran Torres scored in extra time, giving Spain a 1-0 victory and their second World Cup title.
Messi refuses to erase Argentina's journey
Despite the defeat, Lionel Messi explains that he wants to hold onto the positive memories of this World Cup . He mentions the matches Argentina turned around, the total commitment of his teammates, and the moments experienced during the competition. "I'm also holding on to all the good things, the matches we turned around by giving everything ," the Argentine captain continues. He also emphasizes the role of the fans, whose support accompanied the team throughout the tournament and allowed them to reach the World Cup final once again.
Lionel Messi points out that this generation has just played in two consecutive World Cup finals. Having won the title in 2022 against France, Argentina this time lost to a Spanish team that secured its second title, 16 years after its first triumph in South Africa.
"Today, it is difficult to appreciate what we have accomplished."
In his message, Messi acknowledges that the pain of defeat still prevents Argentinians from fully appreciating their achievement. The Albiceleste, however, once again finished among the top two teams in the world, four years after their title in Qatar . "Today, it's difficult to appreciate what we've accomplished, but this group has reached two consecutive World Cup finals ," he writes before thanking the fans for the messages received since the final. The Argentinian number 10 emphasizes the renewed unity within the national team: "Once again, we have managed to come together as a country and remain united, sharing the immense pride of being Argentinian."
A message of congratulations sent to Spain
Despite his disappointment, Lionel Messi ended his speech by congratulating the new world champions. "I also want to congratulate Spain for winning the title ," wrote the Argentinian captain. This message contrasted sharply with the incidents that occurred after the final whistle , when several Argentinian and Spanish players clashed on the pitch. Messi, for his part, had remained aloof from these altercations before receiving his runner-up medal, visibly moved.
A third World Cup final in Messi's career
At 39, Lionel Messi played in the third World Cup final of his career, following those of 2014 and 2022. He thus becomes the second player in the history of men's football, after Brazilian Cafu, to participate in three World Cup finals. The Argentine captain has not announced his international retirement and has not confirmed that this match would be his last with the Albiceleste. This final could, however, remain his last appearance in a World Cup. Messi leaves the tournament without a second consecutive star, but with another run to the final and a still unique record with his national team: the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.
