Argentina captain Lionel Messi has broken his silence after his side’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in the United States.

The Inter Miami FC forward admitted that the loss would be difficult to overcome while expressing pride in his team’s achievements.

Messi, who did not speak to reporters after Sunday’s final in New York, shared his first reaction online on Monday following Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat.

Second World Cup title courtesy of Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner in a match where Argentina struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their first shot on target arriving in the 117th minute.

Reacting to the defeat on his Instagram page on Monday, Messi described the pain of losing the final as immense but said he would cherish the journey that took Argentina to a second successive World Cup final.

“The pain is so great, and it’s going to be hard for me to close this wound. But I’ll keep all the good stuff too… With the matches we turned leaving everything and that will remain forever in the memory, with

the support of an entire country that together with the work and effort of this group led us to be, once again, among the best in the world,” Messi wrote.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner praised his teammates for reaching back-to-back World Cup finals, despite falling short of retaining the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

“Today it’s hard to evaluate what we did, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”

Messi also thanked Argentinians for their unwavering support throughout the tournament.

“Thank you very much from the heart for every greeting and for every message. Once again we managed to unite as a country and be all together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentinian.”

The 39-year-old concluded his message by congratulating Spain on their triumph.

“I also want to congratulate Spain on the championship,” he said.

Argentina entered the tournament as defending champions after lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. Although they fell short in their bid to retain the title, Lionel Scaloni’s side became the first team since Brazil in 1998 to reach consecutive men’s World Cup finals.

By David Torough, Abuja

Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a tense and dramatic final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.

The final remained goalless through regulation time despite Spain dominating possession and creating the better chances.

Argentina’s task became even more difficult in stoppage time of the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing Lionel Messi’s side to 10 men for extra time.

Spain eventually made their numerical advantage count when Nico Williams brilliantly kept Pedro Porro’s cross alive before laying the ball into the path of Torres, who fired beyond Martínez to spark wild celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.

The victory capped a remarkable campaign for Spain, who conceded just one goal in seven matches while eliminating Portugal, Belgium, France and Argentina on their way to lifting football’s biggest prize.

For Argentina, the defeat ended their bid to successfully defend the title won in Qatar. Messi, making what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance, could not inspire a comeback as the South Americans struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the contest.

Tempers flared after the final whistle, with players from both sides involved in a brief confrontation following the highly physical encounter.

Spain’s triumph also saw them make history as the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles, underlining their dominance in world football and marking a new golden era for Spanish football.

Kylian Mpappe said he and his France teammates did not perform well to progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final after their 2-0 defeat against Spain on Tuesday.

France went into the game as the favorite but Didier Deschamps’ men were completely outplayed by a better tactical and technical Spain.

Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured Spain’s spot in the World Cup Final, since the last time they won the tournament in South Africa 2010.

Luis de la Fuente’s men completely dominated France, restricting them to just two shots on target all game.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe described the French team’s performance as disappointing and not worthy of a final spot.

“We did not produce the performance we wanted, tactically, technically or in terms of our overall level,” Mbappe said.

“When you fail ⁠to do what you are supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you do not win.

“Spain stuck to their plan and to what they believe in. There was a lack of communication in our pressing, even when we won possession back, our first passes and first touches were not worthy of a World Cup semi-final,” he added.

After the game, France coach Didier Deschamps said his team lost to a better team.

“The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best. That is on us.”

Pedro Porro who scored the second goal for Spain said the victory is a dream come true for him, and added that his side did everything right against a brilliant team.

“A dream come true to be honest. I never even imagined anything like this, not even in my wildest dreams,” Porro said.

“We did everything right against a team that was having a brilliant World Cup,” he added.

Spain will discover their final opponents on Wednesday when England face Argentina in Atlanta for a place in Sunday’s final.