EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, July 21, 2026 — Lionel Messi has spoken publicly for the first time since Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, acknowledging the emotional weight of the loss while expressing pride in his team’s journey.
Argentina’s attempt to retain the trophy ended Sunday when Spain secured a 1–0 victory after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, earning Spain its second men’s World Cup title.
In a message published on social media Monday, Messi said the defeat had caused “immense” pain and would take time to overcome. The 39-year-old nevertheless focused on Argentina’s achievements, including its return to the final four years after winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Messi praised his teammates for their resilience and thanked supporters for standing behind the national side throughout the competition. He said the campaign had once again united the country and given Argentinians a shared sense of pride.
The Argentine captain also congratulated Spain on winning the championship.
Sunday’s match was Messi’s third World Cup final, following Argentina’s defeat to Germany in 2014 and its victory over France in 2022. According to Reuters, he joins Brazil’s Cafu as one of only two men to have appeared in three World Cup finals.
Messi scored eight goals during the 2026 tournament, helping Argentina reach a second consecutive final. The loss prevented the team from becoming the first country since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the men’s World Cup.
Spain dominated much of the final but was repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez before Torres converted a first-time finish following a headed pass from Nico Williams.
Messi has not announced whether he will continue playing for Argentina. Given his age, the final may have been his last World Cup appearance, but any conclusion about his international future remains speculative until he makes a formal decision.
Despite the disappointment, Messi’s message emphasized gratitude rather than regret—recognizing a team that remained among international football’s elite and a country that supported it to the final whistle.
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