Lionel Messi could not hold back the tears. As Spain celebrated their first FIFA World Cup title and Argentina’s players slowly came to terms with a heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat, the 39-year-old captain remained on the MetLife Stadium pitch, overwhelmed by emotion. Around him, thousands of Argentina supporters rose to their feet and chanted his name.
It was a fitting tribute to the man who once again carried his country deep into the tournament, scoring eight goals and inspiring remarkable knockout-stage comebacks before Argentina finally fell at the final hurdle.Messi later led his teammates to collect their runners-up medals before quietly watching Spain lift the trophy.
Moments later, television cameras caught him wiping away tears as he looked towards the Argentina end. While the Inter Miami star has yet to announce whether he will continue his international career, the expectation is that Sunday’s final was his last appearance at a FIFA World Cup.
If so, it brought the curtain down on one of the greatest careers the tournament has ever seen. By reaching another final, Messi became only the third player in history to appear in three men’s World Cup finals, joining Brazil legend Cafu in an exclusive club.
His final World Cup match did not end with another trophy, but it ended with something perhaps just as meaningful. As the celebrations unfolded around him, Argentina’s supporters made sure their final memory was not Spain lifting the cup. It was singing the name of the man who changed their football history forever.