Lionel Messi Opens Up Following Crushing FIFA World Cup Final Setback: 'I Choose To...'

Published 21 July 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi Opens Up Following Crushing FIFA World Cup Final Setback: 'I Choose To...' Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 07:32 IST Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi Opens Up Following Crushing FIFA World Cup Final Setback: 'I Choose To...' Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 07:32 IST Lionel Messi breaks silence on Argentina's FIFA World Cup final defeat to Spain, thanks fans. He reflects on pain, good moments and national support. Rapid Read Lionel Messi after the end of the FIFA World Cup Final (Picture credit: AP) Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has broken his silence after his team’s 0-1 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final, saying that although the wound would take time to heal, he would like to hold on to the good moments, as he thanked his countrymen for the unwavering support. In the knockouts, Argentina came from behind to defeat Egypt and England and had to go to extra time to defeat Cape Verde and Switzerland.

But against Spain, a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time all but ended Argentina’s hopes, with the 2022 champions unable to register a single shot on target during the 120-minute-long final. “The pain is immense and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also choose to hold on to all the good moments. The matches we turned around by giving absolutely everything, which will remain in our memories forever and the support of an entire nation that, together with the hard work and commitment of this group, helped us once again become one of the best teams in the world," Messi wrote on his social media. Having scored eight goals during the tournament, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was unable to influence the final, mirroring his team’s struggles as they couldn’t trouble a well-drilled Spanish team.

At the FIFA World Cup, Messi has now lost two finals, in 2014 and 2026 and won one, in 2022, against France. Argentine media reported on Monday that Messi wasn’t expected to return to Buenos Aires with the rest of the team, with the team’s homecoming all set to be a subdued affair after the loss. But despite the cold and rain, thousands of fans turned out on Monday to give Argentina’s football team a rousing welcome after their return from the FIFA World Cup final loss, even though Messi wasn’t among those who arrived home. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered How will this loss impact Argentina's team morale? Lionel Messi stated the pain from Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain is "immense" and will take time to heal.