The decisive blow came in the second period of extra time at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where Ferran Torres, introduced from the bench, reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and smashed a left-footed shot under the crossbar. It was the only goal of a final in which Argentina, the defending champions, failed to register a single shot during the regulation 90 minutes. Spain’s control of midfield and territorial dominance – they completed 235 passes in the final third to Argentina’s 47 – suffocated an attack that had relied on Messi’s eight tournament goals and four assists to navigate a knockout path featuring comebacks against Egypt and England.

Within 24 hours, Messi broke his silence on Instagram, writing that “the pain is immense and it will take time for this wound to heal.” The 39-year-old, who wept on the pitch at full time, did not address his international future but stressed the achievement of reaching two consecutive World Cup finals, having lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022. He also congratulated Spain, who secured their second world title after 2010, and thanked Argentines for their support. The message was reported across continents, from Indonesian outlets to French-language Canadian media, all highlighting the captain’s raw admission of hurt.

When the Argentine squad landed at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires the following evening, Messi was not on the flight. He and teammate Rodrigo De Paul had travelled directly to Miami, while eight other Europe-based players headed straight to their clubs. The 16 players who did return, led by coach Lionel Scaloni and vice-captain Nicolás Otamendi, were greeted by a military band playing the anthem “Muchachos”, a red carpet, and thousands of fans who braved winter rain to line the route of an open-top bus. The reception, though subdued compared with the celebrations of 2022, reflected a widespread sentiment captured by a housewife who told AFP: “Argentines will celebrate anyway.”

The final itself was marred by a mass brawl at the final whistle, with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes seen throwing punches at celebrating Spanish players. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has appointed a prosecutor to investigate the altercations, while the Argentine football association also faces scrutiny over a banner referencing the Falkland Islands displayed after the semi-final win over England. In Buenos Aires, late-night clashes near the Obelisk led to 15 detentions as police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds.

With the tournament over, attention turns to the future of the Argentina project. Scaloni, whose contract expires in December, left his own continuity open after the match, and Messi’s next steps remain unconfirmed. The next major test for the Albiceleste is the start of South American qualifying for the 2030 World Cup, a campaign that may begin without the two men most responsible for the side’s historic run of two Copa América titles and a World Cup in the space of five years.