Messi denied dream farewell as abject Argentina lose World Cup final
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) casts a shadow during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., July 19, 2026. (AP Photo)
Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on July 19, but he was left in tears following Spain's 1-0 win.
Messi, now 39, dragged the holders to another final, scoring eight goals and also providing two assists in the dramatic late comeback against England in the semi-finals.
But the dream of lifting the trophy again, four years after he inspired Argentina to victory in Qatar, ultimately proved too good to be true.
