Messi: "The pain is immense" after World Cup final heartbreak

Lionel Messi has described the “immense” pain of losing the 2026 World Cup final, saying the wound “will take time to heal” after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain. Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute goal gave Spain their second world title and ended Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first back-to-back men’s champions since Brazil in 1962.

Messi, 39, was left in tears at MetLife Stadium as Spain celebrated on the podium. His reaction suggested this could be his final World Cup appearance, although he has not yet confirmed his international future. After the final he wrote on social media that the hurt was deep but that he would also hold on to the pride of reaching two consecutive finals and uniting the country around the team.

Argentina’s campaign had been built around Messi’s brilliance. He finished with eight goals and four assists, driving come-from-behind wins over Egypt and England in the knockouts. But in the final he was largelyanonymous, unable to break down a Spain side that conceded only one goal in the entire tournament and failed to register a single shot on target.

Enzo Fernández, who was sent off late in normal time, also paid tribute to the squad on social media, saying they had defended Argentina’s colours with pride and commitment. FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the post-match altercations that saw Leandro Paredes and others involved in angry scenes with Spanish players.

For Messi, the result brings another painful final to his record, having lost to Germany in 2014 before winning in 2022. The Argentine Football Association consoled him with a message that “your tears are our tears, Captain”, while coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi will play for as long as he chooses and hailed him as the greatest ever.