Time to leave the international scene but remember the good times, not the shame of New Jersey
Lionel Messi stood staring at the Argentina fans, tears streaming down his face.
Behind him, Spain was lifting the World Cup following a victory that was a victory of quality, persistence and self-control.
The fact that Messi and his teammates did not turn around to watch the winners lift the trophy was not surprising; it was simply a continuation of the classless attitude that was evident from the beginning.
Their only strategy was to frustrate and deceive, using criminal tactics in the hope that it would lead to penalties. Thankfully, you didn’t succeed in the football game.
The antics of Leandro Paredes, who should have previously joined Enzo Fernández in sending off, and Nahuel Molina at the final whistle, throwing punches at the Spanish players in celebration summed up a team that knew they had been given a football lesson.
Argentina didn’t have a shot of any description until the 117th minute. That came from Messi on one of the few occasions he was able to escape Spain’s iron fist.
Messi’s relegation to the final after another brilliant World Cup
Messi, as usual, was the star of Argentina in every tournament where he turned 39 years old. But he was a side player as Spain dominated possession in a one-sided game. The Inter Miami star managed 54 touches in 120 minutes and spent most of the afternoon roaming around as the European champions passed the ball from player to player.
As he did in Argentina’s successful 2022 campaign in Qatar, Messi led a talented group of players to the finals with eight goals and inspired many others.
But even he had no impact in a one-sided fight like this and his obvious anger spilled over into the second half of normal time as he tried to get Marc Cucurella out for gagging, waving his hand to the side like a child trying to get the teacher’s attention. It was not good for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the act of someone who knows his team needs help.
That it didn’t come with it was a small surprise. Widespread allegations that Argentina were given special treatment by the referees may not be correct but they were on the right side of several key decisions throughout the tournament.
Slovenia captain Slavko Vincic tried to let the last game go but it was a difficult task due to Argentina’s persistence and only criticism should have been made.
Had Messi and Co no doubt been duly defeated on 90 minutes, rather than waiting until 106 for Ferran Torres to use the killer touch.
Messi is likely to leave after a good international career
Given his age and the fact that this appears to be the end of a cycle for Argentina with several aging players, and coach Lionel Scaloni, set to leave, it seems that Messi’s international career is over for now.
Perhaps it’s fitting that it ended at the same MetLife Stadium where he announced his retirement in 2016 after losing the Copa America final to Chile, their fourth loss in nine years.
After being encouraged to continue, Messi came back with a bang, perhaps not at first as the disorganized team failed to do much in Russia in 2018, but his moment would come three years later with victory in the Copa America.
Argentina backed that up by lifting the trophy in Qatar – their first world title in 36 years – before winning another Copa in 2024.
Messi inspired them all and it is right to focus on that success rather than sitting on the angry, painful, ugly football against Spain.
Only Messi knows what the tears were at the final whistle. Disappointment, regret, maybe even a little embarrassment at being caught in Argentina’s disgraceful way in New Jersey.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter. Messi will now disappear from the big leagues forever and spend his final months, if not years, tormenting defenses in Major League Soccer.
Thanks for the memories, it’s just a shame it had to end this way.
