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Messi says Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain left 'immense
pain'

   Reuters | Posted: July 20, 2026 7:46 PM | Last Updated: July 20

   Soccer great, teammates were trying to be first men's repeat
   champion since 1962

   Image | Lionel Messi, World Cup final

   Caption: Argentina forward Lionel Messi became only the second
   player, after Brazil's Cafu, to appear in three men's World Cup
   finals, having played in the deciders in 2014, 2022 and this
   year. (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
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   Lionel ​Messi says Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain
   had left "immense" pain but praised his team for reaching a
   second successive final and thanked supporters ‌for uniting
   behind the national side.
   Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's final in
   East Rutherford, N.J., with Ferran Torres scoring the ​decisive
   goal to deny the 2022 champions ​back-to-back World Cup titles.
   The result ended Argentina's bid to become the first men's team
   since Brazil ​in 1962 to retain the trophy.
   "The pain is ⁠immense and it's ⁠going to take a long ‌time for
   this wound to heal," Messi wrote on social media.
   "But I'll also hold on to all the good memories… the support of
   an entire country ⁠which, together with the hard work and
   effort of this squad, led us to be, once again, amongst the
   best in ‌the world."
   Messi, 39, also congratulated Spain and said Argentina could
   take pride in reaching consecutive World Cup finals. He became
   only the second player, after Brazil's Cafu, ​to appear in
   three men's World Cup finals, having played in the deciders ⁠in
   2014, 2022 and this year.
     * Spain beats Argentina in extra time, denying Messi 2nd
       World Cup title

   The Inter Miami forward remains ⁠Argentina's most decorated
   player, having led the country to the ⁠2022 ⁠World Cup, Copa
   America ​titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. He
   is ​also an eight-time ⁠Ballon d'Or winner and widely regarded
   as one of the greatest footballers.
   "Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand
   united," Messi added, "sharing the immense pride of being
   Argentine."
   WATCH | Donnovan Bennett's 2026 World Cup essay:

   Media Video |

   Caption: CBC Sports' Donnovan Bennett writes this essay on the
   chaos that was the 2026 World Cup, and how despite all its
   shortcomings, brought people together.
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