Messi: The pain is severe... Fernandez: We will continue to make efforts
Argentina national team star Lionel Messi expressed his “extreme pain” via his Instagram account yesterday, marking his first statement since losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain (0-1) after extra time.
The 39-year-old player, who shed tears following the defeat, wrote, “The pain is very intense, and it is difficult for this wound to heal, but I also hold onto all the positive aspects.” He added, “It is difficult today to truly appreciate what we have achieved, but this team reached two consecutive World Cup finals.” Messi also congratulated Spain on winning the title.
The former Barcelona star spoke about thrilling victories over England and Egypt, which “will remain etched in our memories forever,” and about “the support of an entire country,” which allowed “La Albiceleste” to “be among the best national teams in the world again.”
The Rosario native continued: “Once again, we succeeded in uniting as one nation, and being all together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.” He did not address his future with the national team in his message.
He scored eight goals during the tournament but failed to leave his mark in the final match, much like his national team, which failed to threaten the more organized Spanish side. In World Cup finals, Messi has lost two (2014 and 2026) compared to winning one title in 2022 against France.
The 25-year-old Chelsea midfielder, who received a red card for his second yellow in the final match that his team lost 0-1 to Spain, sent a message on his Instagram account, writing: “As time passes, one realizes that there is something much more important than just a result.”
He added: “For many years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It has taught us that competition is not just about winning, but about giving our all for the national jersey and never giving up.” He continued: “Wearing my country’s national team jersey is the greatest honor of my career, and I will continue to do my best every time I defend it.”
For his part, Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero wrote on Instagram: “This time, victory was not meant for us. Believe me, it is very painful, because no one wanted to continue writing this beautiful story more than we did.”
Romero added: “We dreamed of bringing the trophy home, but it did not happen. However, if there is one thing we will never lack, it is full commitment. We gave our all.” He continued: “We finished the tournament in second place, but we never stopped representing the country with the pride and dedication that this jersey deserves.”
Thousands of fans braved the cold and rain yesterday, Monday, to give the Argentine national football team a warm welcome upon their return to the country from the United States, without their captain and legend Lionel Messi, despite the disappointment of losing the 2026 World Cup final.
The Argentine Football Association announced that some team members would not be on the flight, and the historic captain Messi did not appear in images broadcast by local television as passengers disembarked from the plane.
Coach Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the team were greeted with a red carpet outside the aircraft, accompanied by a welcome performance from a military band, before boarding a bus and waving to enthusiastic fans along the route.
