Messi expresses heartbreak after Argentina lose World Cup final

Lionel Messi has described his “immense” pain after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, saying only time would help the team overcome the result.

Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal in New Jersey ended Argentina’s hopes of back-to-back titles on Sunday and denied Messi a chance to cap his decorated career with a second World Cup title.

The 39-year-old is not expected to play at the next World Cup in 2030, although he is yet to announce any retirement plans.

“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good



things,” Messi wrote on social media.

“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.”

Argentina cruised through the group stage before relying on late goals in its next four knockout games to progress to the final.

Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists and was considered unlucky by some not to win the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player.