“The pain is immense”: Messi breaks silence after World Cup heartbreak

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has spoken publicly for the first time since his country’s World Cup final defeat, expressing pride in his teammates, gratitude to Argentine fans and congratulations to new champions Spain.

In an emotional message shared after the tournament, Messi admitted that the pain of losing the final remains overwhelming but said he would choose to remember the achievements and unforgettable moments the team created during its remarkable campaign.

“The pain is immense. It will take time for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote.

Despite the disappointment, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner praised the determination and resilience shown by the Argentine squad, saying the team had once again established itself among the world’s football elite.

“I choose to hold on to all the good things, all the matches we turned around by giving everything and the moments that will remain in our memories forever,” he said.

Messi also paid tribute to Argentine supporters, thanking them for standing firmly behind the national team throughout the competition.

“I will always remember the support of an entire country that, together with the work and effort of this group, brought us back once again among the best teams in the world,” he added.

Reflecting on the team’s achievements, Messi noted that while the pain of defeat may currently overshadow their accomplishments, reaching two consecutive World Cup finals remains a feat worthy of pride.

“Today, it is difficult to appreciate what we achieved, but this group has really reached two consecutive World Cup finals,” he said.

The Inter Miami forward also thanked fans for their messages of encouragement and support, saying the tournament once again united Argentines in pride and solidarity.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message. Once again, we managed to come together as a country and stand united, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.”

Messi congratulated Spain on winning the FIFA World Cup, acknowledging their achievement after lifting football’s biggest prize.