Lionel Messi has addressed fans for the first time since Argentina’s bid to defend their FIFA World Cup title ended in a tragic 1–0 defeat to Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Taking to social media to share a heartfelt message with his country, the Argentine captain acknowledged the intense grief of coming up just short, while calling on his teammates and supporters to take pride in their journey to another final.
“The pain is very deep and it will take a while for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote adding that, “But I also hold on to all the good.”
Reflecting on the squad’s resilience throughout the tournament, Messi highlighted the emotional bond between the players and the fans that propelled them back to football’s biggest stage.
“The matches we turned around by giving it our all will remain in our memories forever,” he added. “The support of an entire country, along with the work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world.”
