Argentine Press... 'End of the Dream'

Buenos Aires - AFP - The Argentine press acknowledged defeat in the final to a “clearly superior Spanish team,” describing it as the “end of the dream,” but focused primarily on the tears of their star, Lionel Messi.

In its editorial, the newspaper wrote: “Lionel Scaloni’s team held on for nearly two hours thanks to Emiliano Martínez’s exceptional performance. But it ultimately succumbed in the final minutes of the match.”

For its part, the Infobae website noted that “Argentina fought until the end, but never managed to impose its style of play, and was forced to cope with Enzo Fernández’s red card and the injuries to Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez,” adding that “the Albiceleste nonetheless concluded a wonderful new World Cup campaign.”

The Clarín newspaper also acknowledged “Spain’s superiority” and paid tribute to goalkeeper Martínez, who “showed why he is a key pillar of the Argentine national team.”

Nearly all Argentine media outlets dedicated a separate article to Messi’s tears, after he received his silver medal in what may be his final match wearing the national team jersey.

Clarín wrote: “The tournament’s star player congratulated the Spanish players, then remained alone and silent, sitting in the center of the pitch. After a while, the number 10 took off his shoes and socks, and swallowed his pain in silence. At first, he did not cry. He showed resilience, but was bitter in the face of the end of an era that could have ended in victory.”

It added: “But when he passed by the trophy and descended from the podium, while the crowds in the stands chanted: ‘Messi! Messi!’, Leo burst into tears.”

The sports newspaper Olé also covered Messi’s tears, noting Scaloni’s sadness and “his unceasing crying and doubts about his future.”