Lionel Messi appears to be saying goodbye to the World Cup. The beloved Argentine star played 90-minutes at yesterday’s final, with Argentina facing off against Spain. Argentina ended up losing the game 1 – 0, resulting in a heartbreaking moment for Messi on the field.
Before that, Messi shared a heartbreaking message on social media. In a post shared on Instagram, Messi shared a photo with the entire Argentine team of players and coaches. Alongside the image, Messi shared an emotional message that served as a goodbye to the tournament and presumably to his years playing for his country.
“The most beautiful part of all of these was never the titles, but the road to get there. Sharing every day with this group, being together, competing together, elevating each other in the difficult moments and enjoying every step of the way.”
“Thanks to every one of my companions, the technical team, and every person who works every day so this team remains a family.”
“Whatever happens tomorrow, this team already wrote a history we’ll never forget and that no one can erase. LET’S GO ARGENTINA!”
Messi’s tearful goodbye at his possible last match in the World Cup
Following the match’s conclusion, Argentina and Spain clashed on the field, with several players from both teams pushing each other. Members of the technical team had to come in between them, preventing the confrontation from escalating.
In Messi’s case, he was tearfully on the field, where he stood alone. At one point, he and Lamine Yamal, Spain’s most recent superstar, shared a hug, with Yamal comforting him.
It’s unknown if Messi will return for another World Cup. He’s 39. Neither Messi nor his team addressed reporters following the end of the match, with the team leaving MetLife Stadium after the award ceremony.
© Europa Press via Getty Images“I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved, because he’s the best football player ever to step foot on a pitch,” said Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach.
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain. “When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous,” said Torres. “At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesRead the full article here
