Messi, now 39, had guided Argentina to the title in 2022 and arrived at this final chasing a second World Cup crown. Instead, Argentina laboured badly on Sunday in New Jersey, which was Monday AEST, and failed to produce their best when it mattered most.
The numbers underlined how difficult the night was. Argentina became the first side in World Cup final history not to record a shot on target across 90 minutes. After extra time, they had managed only two shots in total, and neither tested the goalkeeper.
It was a bitter finish to a tournament in which Messi had dazzled, scoring eight goals before the final and outclassing every opponent in his path. But against Spain, he could not produce one more rescue act.
After the defeat, Messi collected his medal from US president Donald Trump. He kept it around his neck as Argentina said goodbye to their supporters, with the team turning away from Spain and the trophy presentation. By then, the superstar was already crying as he made the walk over.
“Perhaps he sees the dying of the light,” Alan Smith said in commentary.
“It comes to us all in football. But what a player, the best ever.”
Whether this was Messi’s last appearance at a World Cup is still unknown, but it seems increasingly likely. He will be only days short of 43 when the 2030 tournament begins, and by then he will be even further removed from elite competition after moving to the MLS in 2023.
Even so, this tournament suggested he can still perform at the highest level.
“I feel sad, but I am aware that we played our hearts out,” Messi said after the final.
He also praised Spain.
“And they were better, to be honest,” Messi said.
“We lost the game, and we accept that. That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country.”
Spain match-winner Ferran Torres said Messi remained a source of fear throughout, even with Argentina reduced to 10 men.
“When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous,” Torres said.
“At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again.”
