After loading with Argentina in every match of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi went through the final this Sunday against Spain like a shadow, non-existent and harmless, until ending in tears when seeing how the Iberian team raised its desired title in the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
After the 1-0 defeat in extra time, the ‘Ten’ collected his silver medal and stood, motionless and with tears on his face, in front of the section of fans of the Albicelestewho chanted his name with fervor even after the final whistle.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
When Ferran Torres He found the crack to score the only goal of the final in the 106th minute, Messi He was already alone near the midfield line, with his head bowed and his dream fading in the twilight of a game in which he never mattered.
It was a sad end for the Argentine captain and the unprecedented display of longevity that, at 39 years old, he has shown in his sixth World Cup.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
In search of a second world title in a row for Argentinato put a finishing touch to his legendary career, the ‘Flea’ He displayed a magnificent score throughout the competition with eight goals, four assists and several miraculous performances to remember.
But this Sunday, on a hot afternoon in East Rutherfordon the outskirts of New York, the magic of Messi It ended up melting before the relentless Spanish roller.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
Argentina He did not attempt his first shot until the 120th minute and Messi He only touched the leather 54 times, a drop of water for the master of the game. The expulsion of his lieutenant Enzo Fernandez just before extra time it also weighed like a stone.
A pale party
Messi, winner of eight Ballon d’Or, He left the task of putting pressure on his attacking partner as usual, Julian Alvarezto concentrate on what he does best: scan the field in search of the small free space to sneak in and unleash his magical changes of pace or shots.
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal Photo:AFP
Only the Red knows how to square the terrain like no one else and leave rival stars without dangerous spaces, like France experienced in their 2-0 loss in the semifinals.
In the first quarter of an hour, the Rosario genius barely touched the ball once: on the kickoff. He went to the locker room at half-time with a record of 15 touched balls, none inside the area. This reduced influence, even non-existent, is not new in this World North American, where in direct elimination matches he has tended to remain discreet at the beginning to hit hard at the end.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
“We haven’t seen anything yet. Messi until now, but we all know, and Spain He also knows it, that if he has that chance, he might as well take advantage of it,” commented former England international Alan Shearer on BBC One a quarter of an hour before the end of regulation time.
Metlife, the end of the journey?
Messi could have put an end to his amazing international career (125 goals in 207 games for the national team) in the MetLifewhere he had already made a threat of retirement ten years before.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
It was June 26, 2016, when he was barely 29 years old and after yet another disappointment with the national team: a defeat against Chili in the final of the Copa América Centenarioafter missing a penalty in the decisive shootout.
“The national team is over for me, it is the fourth final that I have lost, the third in a row,” he said, bitterly remembering the defeats in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany, 1-0 in extra time, and then in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América, both against Chile on penalties, in addition to the 2007 loss against Brazil.
Lionel Messi Photo:Lionel Messi
The entire country had begged him to return, since the then president, Mauricio Macri, until the legend Diego Maradonapassing through Enzo Fernandez who, as a teenager, wrote him a letter for that purpose.
Messi changed his mind 47 days after his surprise announcement. Since then, the current Inter Miami player has won two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), a Finalissima against the European champion (Italy in 2022) and a World Cup (Qatar 2022), which may be the only one in his exceptional showcase.
SPORTS
With AFP
