Lionel Messi has shared an emotional message following Argentina’s narrow 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, saying the defeat has left him deeply hurt.
The Argentine legend took to Instagram a day after the final to reflect on the painful result, admitting the disappointment would take time to fade while choosing to focus on the team’s achievements throughout the competition.
“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good,” Messi wrote, as he thanked fans for their constant encouragement during the tournament.
The 39-year-old said reaching back-to-back World Cup finals was a remarkable achievement and expressed pride in how the squad once again united the country through their performances.
Messi, who lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, also extended his congratulations to Spain for winning the title.
The football icon was visibly emotional after the final whistle and ended the tournament with eight goals. However, he missed out on the Golden Boot, with France’s Kylian Mbappé claiming the award after finishing as the competition’s top scorer with 10 goals.
