Tearful Argentina manager casts doubt over Lionel Messi’s future after World Cup final defeat

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The Independent

20 July 2026

Emotional

Argentina

boss

Lionel Scaloni

hailed heartbroken

Lionel Messi

as the best footballer ever and tearfully cast doubt over his future following

World Cup

final defeat to

Spain

Having dug deep throughout a rollercoaster knockout phase, Wednesday’s late semi-final comeback against England only fuelled belief that a second successive global crown was within reach.

But Argentina were a pale imitation of the side

that overcame Thomas Tuchel’s men, with goalkeeper

Emiliano Martinez

keeping

at bay during 90 minutes in which his team failed to muster a shot.

open image in gallery

Argentina's

was brought to tears following defeat in the

final (AP)

Enzo Fernandez’s red card just before extra time increased the difficulty of the task facing a team that ended up suffering a thoroughly deserved 1-0 defeat sealed by

super sub Ferran Torres’ strike.

“I feel sadness but knowing that we left everything out there,” boss Scaloni said. “I have a lot of things to say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it.

“I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another

final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth.

“But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they have done, of what it’s worth to get this far. We have to give it huge validity because it takes a lot to get here.”

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni following his side’s

final defeat (PA Wire)

Scaloni was highly emotional in the post-match press conference, breaking down in tears before making an early exit.

“I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future,” the victorious Qatar 2022 coach said. “Because I’m not sure this can be achieved again.”

Lionel Messi is the second leading goalscorer of all time (PA)

Argentina will almost certainly go into the next

without star skipper Messi, who sobbed after what looks to be his last game on the global stage.

“He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable,” Scaloni said. “It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him.

“I hope everyone is proud of him, because he is the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch.”

digest this immense disappointment,

are celebrating becoming the first nation to hold the men’s and women’s

titles simultaneously.

La Roja added a second men’s global championship to their European crown from 2024 and head coach Luis de la Fuente could not be happier with this special group.

“I feel especially proud of this generation of footballers who have grown with this idea, making it better and giving us an example of a group, of a family,” he said.

Spain dominated the final (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“They are players with exceptional talent. For me, it has been an honour to have accompanied them on this journey.

“I’m very emotional after looking back. We have spoken a lot with the players: we have won everything, and that is wonderful.

“They are a generation of footballers who are a source of pride for

. Together, we are stronger.

“I think the game should have been decided earlier. Dibu’s (Martinez) great saves prevented us from winning sooner, but it is a

final and, even (playing against) 10 players at the end, you have to suffer.”

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