After World Cup final heartbreak, was that the end for Lionel Messi in an Argentina jersey?

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Messi played all 120-plus minutes as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time, but he recorded only one shot. Now the 39-year-old will face questions about retirement from the national team.

Lionel Messi sitting on the pitch after losing the world cup final match.

Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after his team's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final Sunday.Hector Vivas / FIFA via Getty Images

July 20, 2026, 12:23 AM EDT

By Tim Rohan

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A few minutes after 6 p.m., Lionel Messi sat on the grass at MetLife Stadium, his legs splayed in front of him, and took in the scene. Across the way, Spain was celebrating, having just beaten Argentina 1-0 in extra time of the World Cup final. Messi had played all 120-plus minutes, about a month after his 39th birthday.

Just a moment.

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