Lionel Messi has spoken out about the profound sadness he is experiencing after Argentina's FIFA World Cup Final loss on Sunday. In an Instagram post on Monday, the 39-year-old described the pain as "immense" and stated that it "will take time for this wound to heal."
Despite the crushing defeat, Messi also reflected on his team's accomplishments. "I also hold on to all the good… The matches we turned around, giving our all, matches that will forever remain in our memories, the support of an entire country that, together with the hard work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world," he wrote.
He acknowledged the difficulty in fully appreciating the achievement but noted that the team reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Messi expressed gratitude for the messages of support and highlighted how the team managed to unite the country and share the "immense pride of being Argentinian."
Messi also extended congratulations to Spain, the tournament champions, who secured a 1-0 victory in the final at MetLife Stadium.
Following the match, Messi and his teammates reportedly skipped post-game media obligations, heading directly to their team bus through a back exit. While not all players are mandated to speak with the media, teams are required to make some designated players available. Fox analyst Alexi Lalas characterized the team's move as "weak."
Messi was a key player in the tournament, scoring eight goals, which placed him in contention for the Golden Boot. However, France's Kylian Mbappé ultimately secured the award with 10 goals after scoring in the third-place match.
On the field after the final whistle, Messi was visibly emotional, sitting on the ground as Argentina lost its opportunity to win back-to-back titles. He did, however, shake hands and hug Spain star Lamine Yamal after the game.
