Messi’s World Cup farewell ends in tears after Spain masterclass

Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) cries at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York. (AP)

NEW JERSEY, July 20: The emotional image of Lionel Messi gazing at the World Cup trophy after the 2026 final captured the end of another remarkable chapter in his career. The Argentina captain had dreamed of lifting the famous trophy for a second time after his triumph in Qatar in 2022, but this time he could only share a final glance before saying goodbye.

Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but their performance fell far short of expectations. Messi and his teammates spent much of the match defending against Spain, who produced a dominant display to defeat the holders and secure the second World Cup title in their history.

The defending champion failed to create the impact expected of it as Spain claimed the trophy deservedly, while Argentina and Messi endured a night of unwanted records. La Albiceleste became the first team in World Cup history to finish a final without registering a shot on target or an attempt during the 90 minutes.

Argentina finished runner-up for the fourth time in World Cup history, a record surpassed only by Germany's number of second-place finishes.

Messi endured a quiet start, touching the ball just once in the opening 15 minutes of the final, and finished the match with a rating of 7, his lowest World Cup score since Argentina's 3-0 defeat by Croatia in the 2018 group stage.

The 39-year-old also missed the chance to reclaim the record for the most goals in World Cup history, ending the tournament with 21 goals, one behind France star Kylian Mbappe, who moved to the top of the list with 22 goals.

Messi's final World Cup appearance also saw him become the oldest outfield player ever to feature in and lose a World Cup final.