Lionel Messi has posted an emotional message after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain, speaking of the 'immense pain' he feels in defeat. The 39-year-old was looking to lead his country to back-to-back World Cup triumphs after they beat France in the final four years ago in Qatar.
Final match details
They fell just short after a strange final in New Jersey which Spain totally dominated but could not kill off. Argentina were distant second best and offered almost no threat at all going forward, but the game was goalless after 90 minutes and it went to extra-time. Ferran Torres finally made the breakthrough on 106 minutes and that was enough for Spain to be world champions, with Argentina finishing the match without a single shot on target in 120 minutes.
Messi's message
The Inter Miami forward posted on Instagram on Monday: 'The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things… The matches we turned around by giving it our all—moments that will remain in our memories forever—and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again. It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.'
Argentina's tournament run
The defending champions rarely looked convincing in the knockout stages as they scraped past Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England, but they kept winning and it looked like they might pull off another gutsy, narrow victory against Spain. It wasn't to be, though, and what will surely be Messi's last World Cup outing ended in disappointment. He did, though, take a moment to congratulate the champions, which was not a sentiment the Argentina team seemed to share after the match.
Future prospects
Messi has said this will be his last World Cup, although he also said that in 2022, so anything is still possible. The Barcelona legend has not said he is retiring from international football yet and could go on to play in the Copa America again in two years' time. After eight goals and four assists in the World Cup this summer, Argentina will be happy to have him if he decides to continue.
