Lionel Messi has reacted to Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
A goal by Barcelona forward Ferran Torres in the 106th minute of extra-time earned Spain a deserved 1-0 win against Argentina.
The Albiceleste were reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute after Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for terrible tackle on Pau Cubarsi.
It was a game the Spaniard dominated from start to finish and which saw Argentina managing just two goals attempt and no shot on target.
Reflecting on the defeat, Messi thanked the Argentine fans for their support and also congratulated Spain.
“The pain is immense, it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote on social media.
“But I also choose to hold on to all the good things, all matches we turned around by giving everything and moments that will remain in our memories forever.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Fate Would Have Been Cruel To Spain Had They Lost Title — Iroha
“I will always remember the support of an entire country that, together with the work and effort of this group, brought us back once again among the best teams in the world.
“Today, it is difficult to appreciate what we achieved… but this group has really reached two consecutive World Cup finals.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message.
“Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand united, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.
“I also want to congratulate Spain on winning World Cup.”
Sunday’s encounter was Messi’s third appearance in the World Cup final, finishing runners-up twice (2014, 2026) and emerging as champions once (2022).
5 Comments
The spirits of all the black people massacred to keep Argentina white will not let the pain heal
Don’t cry for me, Argentina.
But they cried. They cried profusely. Copiously.
Scaloni cried like a baby in the presser. Baba cried like a kid whose lunch money has just been snatched. And indeed, his lunch money was snatched by Spain. That late goal must have burned his intestines to a crisp.
Messi too cried while receiving his silver medal. Egypt also made him cry. Egypt made him cry tears of happiness as he escaped defeat at their hands by the skin of his teeth, but Spain made him cry tears of sorrow and pain. He cried as his illustrious world cup career came to an end in a painful defeat.
The entire Argie team likely cried themselves to sleep last night. A country that passionately hates to lose football matches. They will cheat, dive, fke injury, fight, quarrel, anything doable they will do to secure victory. And we thought Morocco was bad. When it comes to cheating, the Argies are Morocco pro max. And after defeat, then comes the meltdown. See their disgraceful behaviour after the game yesterday. One Argie player had his hands on a Spanish player’s neck, and violently shoved him to the ground. I expect FIFA to revisit that, and dish out appropriate punishment. A punishment severe enough to deter anyone else from trying that nonsense in the future.
Football won yesterday. One team came to play, the other team came to fight and squabble. A whole Argentina had no shot on target during regulation time. Zero shot on target in 90 mins in a world cup final! They deserved to lose the game. Spain was the better side.
So, go ahead and cry, Argentina. Go ahead and cry. Una go cry taya!
Honestly spain vs England would have more interesting.
If not because of that wiked tuchel who decides to pack molue just after alone goal.
Once Messi retire from international football, it will take them like 25years before they ever recover.
They have relied on this Messi far too long since 2006.
When Messi is not on the field their soul is always taking away.
I don’t know of any tournament this country won without Messi, I just don’t know for the time he has been around.
Lol, I remember Nigeria spanked them 4 -1 without Messi, pre-2018 WC. But at the WC proper, their joker was there to beat us 2-1 and knock us out in the first round.
Argentina plus Messi = 9/10.
Argentina minus Messi = 3/10.
Who says a tree cannot make half of the forest?
It will another 100yrs for like of Messi to be around again. Yamal is not on his level at all.
Nigeria, we will you that we have seen sege even more than our shege in hand of Messi, from flying eagles final in 2005 where my Mikel was real Mikel to final of Olympic 2008, to world cup 2010, to another world cup 2014 and to another world cup again 2018.
Haaa Nigeria eagles suffer in the hand of Messi.
I remember doing something on that day our group game in 2014, before I could come to even know the game had started, Messi had score from free kick.
Haaa wiked Messi, mercyless Messi and the wiked goat.
Our generation is bless to have you around sha.