New Delhi: Lionel Messi He shared a touching message after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York’s New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. The 39-year-old admitted the defeat was painful but said he was proud of Argentina’s achievements during their title defence.Spain ends Argentina’s hopes of becoming first team in 64 years to successfully defend title fifa world cup. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute of overtime to seal Spain’s second World Cup title.After the final, Messi thanked Argentina’s supporters on Instagram and said the team should still be proud of reaching back-to-back World Cup finals.“The pain is great, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also retain all the good things… We turned the tables on the game through our all-out effort – moments that will remain etched in our memories forever – and the support of the entire country, combined with the hard work and effort of this team, has put us among the world’s elite once again. It is difficult to fully appreciate our achievements now, but this team has reached two World Cup finals in a row,” Messi wrote.“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. We are once again united as a country, standing together and sharing the great pride of being Argentinian,” he said.“I would also like to congratulate Spain for winning the title,” Messi added.Despite the heartbreak, the atmosphere in Buenos Aires reflected pride, with fans applauding a team that had reached another World Cup final and fought to the end.
How Spain ended Argentina’s rule
Torres came off the bench at the most important moment of the 2026 World Cup and scored his first goal in the 2026 World Cup, helping the Spanish team defeat Argentina 1-0 in overtime and allowing the Spanish team to return to the top of world football.The substitute’s 106th-minute goal gave Messi his second consecutive World Cup title, with the Argentina captain saying it would be his last appearance at the tournament.Torres reacted fastest to a bouncing ball in the box and smashed a left-footed shot under the crossbar to help Spain win its second World Cup title after winning it in 2010.
