Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final, but Lionel Messi was unable to lead his team to a successful title defense after Ferran Torres’ goal at MetLife Stadium
Lionel Messi could not hold back tears after Argentina lost to Spain (Image: BBC)
Argentina icon Lionel Messi broke down in tears after losing to Spain in the World Cup final. The Inter Miami star was able to keep a stiff upper lip in the immediate aftermath, but couldn’t hold back his screams after receiving his runner-up medal.
Messi, 39, may have already played his final World Cup match, but he proved throughout the tournament that he can still contribute at the highest level. The attacker missed most of the match against Spain, but provided some threatening moments as the South American team looked to equalize with Ferran Torres’ goal in extra time.
The former Barcelona star scored eight goals in the competition, but was two goals short of Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé’s tally.
As some of his teammates threw punches and the final whistle sounded, Messi sat on the pitch and could only stare at the scene around him in New Jersey. Messi rose from his feet to greet Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal, who comforted him by rubbing the Argentine captain’s back as they hugged each other.
Joe Hart highlighted Messi’s calmness at the end of the match, in contrast to Leandro Paredes’ violent scenes. The former goalkeeper said: “It’s disgusting.
“There was one man with class on the pitch, and that was Lionel Messi – he shook hands with all the Spanish players.
“The game is over. They can’t complain at all about what happened today. It’s a terrible thing.”
Lionel Messi looks at his second place medal after losing to Spain in the World Cup final (Image: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP via Getty Images)
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Winner Torres highlighted Messi as a huge opponent to overcome on the biggest stage. He said: “Ultimately, I think this goal is driven not just by us here, but by 47 million people.
“Today, destiny was written and we were made to win. Today we are far from the people, but we have tried to be as close to them as possible.
“Finals are difficult. You get worried when you have Messi on the other team, but we always tried to back ourselves and show our football, and I think we were able to achieve that once again.”
Messi won a runners-up medal for his contribution to Argentina’s advance to the final, as well as a runner-up spot in the Golden Ball Award, which is given to the tournament’s best player. Spanish star Rodri also claimed so.
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