Lionel Messi`s bid to end his remarkable World Cup career with another title ended in heartbreak on Sunday as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The 39-year-old captain, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, was left in tears after the final whistle as Spain`s Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to end Argentina`s title defence.
Messi had once again been at the heart of Argentina`s run to the final, scoring eight goals during the tournament and providing two assists in the dramatic semifinal comeback victory over England.
However, the defending champions struggled to impose themselves against a dominant Spanish side at MetLife Stadium. Spain controlled possession for long periods and repeatedly tested goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before finally finding the breakthrough in extra time.
Argentina`s task became even harder after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time of normal time following a second yellow card, forcing Lionel Scaloni`s side to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Messi found little space throughout the final and was largely kept quiet by Spain`s defence. He finished the match without adding to his World Cup tally, leaving him one goal short of equalling Kylian Mbappe`s tournament record of 22 goals.
The defeat ended Argentina`s hopes of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.
Despite the disappointment, the final added another milestone to Messi`s extraordinary career. He became only the second player in history, after Brazil`s Cafu, to appear in three FIFA World Cup finals. Cafu reached the finals in 1994, 1998 and 2002, while Messi featured in the title matches in 2014, 2022 and 2026.
Sunday`s final also carried special significance for Messi, as it was played at the same stadium where he briefly announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost the 2016 Copa América final to Chile on penalties.
He later returned to lead Argentina into one of the most successful periods in its history, winning the Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 before lifting the World Cup in Qatar.
Messi has now played a record 34 World Cup matches across six tournaments and has earned more than 200 international caps for Argentina.
Although he remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, Sunday`s defeat is widely expected to mark the end of his FIFA World Cup journey, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in football history.
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