Argentina was united in grief and gratitude on Sunday after its national team’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final, with supporters across the country paying emotional tribute to Lionel Messi in what many believe was his final appearance on football’s biggest stage.
The heartbreaking loss in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ended Argentina’s bid to defend the World Cup title it won in Qatar in 2022 and likely marked the end of an extraordinary World Cup journey for Messi, who is now 39.
While disappointment over the defeat was evident, much of the emotion centered on the realization that one of football’s greatest players may never again wear Argentina’s colours at a World Cup.
Across Buenos Aires, supporters who had gathered in bars, restaurants and public squares watched with hope as Argentina searched for an equaliser after Spain took the lead in extra time.
Inside Café Relax in the historic centre of the capital, the final whistle brought tears, embraces and quiet reflection.
“I feel empty. Empty because of Messi, because I won’t see him in a World Cup again. This is the last one,” said 22-year-old architecture student Camilo Cichero after the match.
Although devastated by the result, he found comfort in the fact that Messi had already completed football’s greatest achievements.
“It’s not how we expected it to go. At least it gives me peace of mind knowing he’s already won everything there was to win,” he said.
His friend, Juan Saenz, a 22-year-old law student, described the defeat as the symbolic end of an era.
“This was the last of Messi… it was the very end, and it finished this way,” he said.
“I was born while Messi was playing, and this was the end of that era.”
For millions of Argentines, Messi has been the defining figure of their footballing lives, representing the country for more than two decades and becoming its all-time leading scorer and one of its most decorated players.
Messi’s international journey has been one of remarkable perseverance.
After enduring heartbreak in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and losing successive Copa América finals, he briefly retired from international football in 2016 before returning to lead Argentina to a remarkable revival.
That resurgence brought major titles including the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the 2024 Copa América, and the Finalissima, cementing Messi’s status as arguably the greatest player in Argentina’s football history.
His leadership helped restore Argentina to the summit of world football after years of near misses.
Although no official announcement has been made regarding his international retirement, Sunday’s defeat has fuelled widespread belief that the tournament marked his final World Cup appearance.
Supporters entered the final full of confidence after Argentina’s determined run through the tournament.
Wrapped in the nation’s blue-and-white colours despite freezing winter temperatures in Buenos Aires, thousands packed bars and fan zones hoping to witness another famous triumph.
Throughout the tense contest, emotions swung dramatically.
Cheers and chants gradually gave way to anxiety as Spain controlled large periods of the match.
When midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card and sent off, despair spread among supporters watching the match.
Extra time brought further tension before Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal that handed Spain its second men’s World Cup title.
The strike left bars and public viewing areas in stunned silence as Argentina’s hopes disappeared.
Following the final whistle, many fans questioned the team’s tactical approach.
“I didn’t like how Argentina played. I didn’t like the game plan, the substitutions, the players. I didn’t like the referee,” Cichero said.
Despite the heartbreak, the overwhelming mood soon shifted from sorrow to appreciation.
Fireworks lit the skies above Buenos Aires while car horns echoed through the city as thousands still made their way to the Obelisk, Argentina’s traditional gathering point for football celebrations.
Rather than mourning solely the defeat, many supporters celebrated a team that had once again reached the pinnacle of world football.
President Javier Milei thanked the players in a message on social media.
“Thank you so much, players!!! You fought until the very end. Argentina will always stand tall,” he wrote.
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Retiree Abel Torres praised the team’s resilience.
“Argentina gave it their all. Today was a true example of what Argentina is all about: despite the hard times and the obstacles we face, we always rise again,” he said.
The message resonated with supporters determined to welcome the national team home despite the defeat.
Rosario Honours Its Favourite Son
In Rosario, Messi’s hometown, hundreds gathered to celebrate the player whose career transformed Argentine football.
Supporters lit fireworks, sang songs and applauded the captain, recognising the joy he has brought to the nation over nearly two decades.
“We’ve already won a cup. We can’t just break down in tears—we have to celebrate. Messi has already put us at the very top of the world,” supporter Sergio Irrazabal told AFP.
The celebrations reflected widespread appreciation for a player who fulfilled the dreams of generations by finally bringing the World Cup back to Argentina in 2022 before leading the country to another final four years later.
Whether Messi formally retires from international football in the coming months or continues representing Argentina, many supporters believe Sunday marked the closing chapter of one of football’s greatest careers.
His influence extends far beyond trophies, inspiring millions with his longevity, humility and unmatched brilliance on the field.
Although Spain lifted the World Cup trophy, Argentina’s fans chose to remember the legacy of the player who transformed their football history.
For many, the final whistle signalled not only the end of a World Cup campaign but the farewell to an era that may never be repeated.
