East Rutherford, New Jersey: Lionel Messi has shared an emotional message following what could prove to be his final FIFA World Cup appearance, thanking Argentina’s supporters and congratulating Spain after the team’s 1-0 defeat in the final on June 20.
The Argentine captain was visibly emotional after the match in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina missed the opportunity to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
Although Messi did not confirm whether he has played his last World Cup, he reflected on the team’s journey in a heartfelt Instagram post.
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“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,” Messi wrote in Spanish alongside a photograph of himself wearing his runners-up medal.
Despite the disappointment, the 39-year-old said that he would cherish the positive memories from the tournament, including the team’s comeback victories and the unwavering support of Argentine fans. The player added that the squad’s determination and the backing of an entire nation helped return Argentina to the top level of world football.
Messi also noted that while it is difficult to fully appreciate the achievement immediately after the loss, Argentina had reached two consecutive World Cup finals, following their triumph over France in the 2022 final in Qatar, where they won on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. That victory completed Messi’s collection of major international honours.
Argentina again impressed during the 2026 World Cup in North America, defeating England in the semi-finals before falling to a disciplined Spanish side that prevented them from registering a single shot on target in the final.
Messi celebrated his 39th birthday during the tournament and would be 43 when the next World Cup is held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030, leaving uncertainty over whether he will feature again on football’s biggest stage.
In his message, Messi thanked supporters for their encouragement, saying the team had once again united the country and given Argentinians another reason to be proud. He also congratulated Spain on winning the World Cup.
The tournament saw Messi surpass Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals early in the competition. He finished his World Cup career with 21 goals, although France’s Kylian Mbappe overtook him with 22 goals and also claimed the Golden Boot after scoring 10 times, compared with Messi’s eight.
Meanwhile, reports say that Messi and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul will miss Inter Miami’s next two Major League Soccer regular-season matches, as well as the MLS All-Star Game, to rest and recover following the World Cup.
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