Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shared an emotional message with supporters following his country’s narrow defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

In an open letter posted after the match, the veteran forward admitted that the disappointment of losing the championship would remain with him for a long time. He described the defeat as deeply painful but expressed gratitude to everyone who stood behind the national team throughout the tournament.

Messi acknowledged that the players had given everything in their pursuit of retaining the World Cup title but ultimately fell short against a determined Spanish side. He said the team was devastated by the result but remained proud of the commitment, unity, and resilience shown during the competition.

The Argentine captain thanked supporters for their unwavering encouragement from the opening match to the final, saying their passion and belief inspired the squad throughout the tournament. He added that although the pain of the loss was immense, the team would always cherish the journey they shared with the fans.

The 39-year-old also congratulated Spain on winning the World Cup, recognizing the new champions for their achievement while wishing them success.

Argentina’s dream of defending the trophy ended with a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final, bringing to a close another memorable World Cup campaign for Messi and his teammates. Despite the heartbreaking result, the legendary forward emphasized that representing Argentina remains one of the greatest honours of his career and thanked the nation’s supporters for standing by the team through both triumph and disappointment.