EAST RUTHERFORD (United States) (AFP) – Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain’s 1-0 win._x000D_
_x000D_
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._x000D_
_x000D_
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._x000D_
_x000D_
Ten-man Argentina did not lay a glove on Spain at the MetLife Stadium, and were lucky to survive until the 106th minute, when Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock._x000D_
_x000D_
The blunt South Americans struggled throughout the match and faced a huge challenge when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time._x000D_
_x000D_
The final passed Messi by, and as he broke down in tears it was easy to think that he might have been much better off bowing out on that glorious night in Doha in 2022._x000D_
_x000D_
That victory allowed him to emulate Diego Maradona, who dragged Argentina to glory in 1986. But this time he emulated his legendary predecessor in a different way._x000D_
_x000D_
Maradona’s Argentina returned to the final as holders in 1990, only to deliver a dreadful, cynical display in losing 1-0 to West Germany, a game they finished with nine men._x000D_
_x000D_
They fouled their way through this game too, appearing to have no tactic other than to try to get under Spain’s skin._x000D_
_x000D_
Messi touched the ball only 54 times, with almost half of those coming in extra-time, and never looked like scoring the goal that would allow him to equal Kylian Mbappe’s overall World Cup record tally of 22._x000D_
_x000D_
EQUALLING CAFU_x000D_
_x000D_
It was hard not to come to the conclusion that he ended up hindering his side once they were down to 10 men — he was left as their lone forward, when in any other circumstances coach Lionel Scaloni would surely have sent on the fresh legs of Lautaro Martinez in attack._x000D_
_x000D_
Argentina failed to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, but this was still a momentous day for Messi._x000D_
_x000D_
He became only the second player to appear in three World Cup finals, matching the achievement of Brazil great Cafu._x000D_
_x000D_
Pele won three World Cups, but did not play in the 1962 final due to injury. Maradona played in two finals._x000D_
_x000D_
If Messi does still have any doubters, they may point to the fact that he has now lost two of his finals, with this defeat following the loss to Germany in 2014._x000D_
_x000D_
Sunday’s final took place back at the same stadium where he sensationally announced his retirement from international football aged 29 in 2016._x000D_
_x000D_
He had won more than 100 caps by then, and was already regarded as one of the greatest players of all time thanks to his achievements with Barcelona._x000D_
_x000D_
A GAME TOO FAR_x000D_
_x000D_
But with Argentina he had already lost three major finals, including the 2014 World Cup final, when he came to the MetLife Stadium for the Copa America Centenario decider against Chile in 2016._x000D_
_x000D_
The game ended 0-0, before Messi missed his penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost again. “For me the national team is over,” he said then._x000D_
_x000D_
He went on to enjoy an incredible late career revival with his country, winning the Copa America back-to-back in 2021 and 2024, either side of the 2022 World Cup._x000D_
_x000D_
The 2026 tournament in North America felt at first like a victory lap for Messi, as he scored a hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria and the goals kept flowing._x000D_
_x000D_
He now has more than 200 caps, and has played a record 34 World Cup games across a joint-record six tournaments._x000D_
_x000D_
Surely this will bring the curtain down on his World Cup career, given he will be into his 40s in 2030._x000D_
_x000D_
There may, however, be calls for him to keep playing for his country a little longer, especially as he has a contract with Inter Miami until 2028._x000D_
_x000D_
It has been a glorious career, but Sunday’s final was a game too far for Messi and Argentina.
