On Monday, Lionel Messi broke his silence with a heartfelt message on Instagram, following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, held on Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"The pain is immense, and healing this wound will take time," wrote the Argentine captain, who appeared in the accompanying photo with the runner-up medal still around his neck.
Spain claimed their second World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute following a cross from Nico Williams, after the match ended goalless in regular time before a crowd of 82,500 spectators.
After winning the title in Qatar 2022, Argentina aimed to become the third team in history to successfully defend a World Cup title, but fell short. For Messi, who was 39 years old during the final, it marked the conclusion of a 20-year, six-tournament World Cup journey.
Reflecting on Success Amidst Disappointment
Despite the heartache, Messi chose to focus on the positives in his message. "I hold on to all the good... the matches we turned around with everything we had, which will remain forever in memory, and the support of an entire nation that, along with the efforts of this group, brought us once again among the world's best," he expressed.
The Argentine superstar acknowledged that time will be needed to fully appreciate their accomplishments: "Today, it's hard to value what we achieved, but this team reached two consecutive World Cup finals."
Historical Achievements and Controversial Moments
Messi concluded the tournament with historic numbers: 21 World Cup goals—surpassing Miroslav Klose's 16—along with 12 assists and 34 matches played, both all-time records. In the 2026 World Cup, he scored eight goals and provided four assists across seven games.
The final was also marred by a violent outburst from Leandro Paredes against Spanish players after the final whistle, casting a shadow over the tournament's end.
A Message of Gratitude and Sportsmanship
In his post, Messi extended his gratitude to fans and showed sportsmanship towards the opponents: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message. Once again, we united as a country, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on their championship."
The post quickly garnered over 1,077,000 likes and nearly 95,000 comments, highlighting the global impact of the World Cup finale for one of football's most extraordinary careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Messi and World Cup 2026
What did Messi say about Argentina's World Cup loss?
Messi expressed deep sorrow, noting that "the pain is immense, and healing this wound will take time," while also reflecting on the positive aspects of their journey.
What records did Messi set during the 2026 World Cup?
Messi set records for scoring 21 World Cup goals, providing 12 assists, and playing in 34 matches, making him the top scorer and holding the most assists and appearances in World Cup history.
How did Spain win the 2026 World Cup final?
Spain secured their second World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute.