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Lionel Messi entered his third men's World Cup final in six attempts, hoping to leave his international career with Argentina on top of the soccer world. That did not happen.
Instead, after an anticlimactic match where Spain essentially controlled proceedings throughout, Argentina lost 1-0 after surrendering an extra-time goal to Ferran Torres. A 68 percent to 32 percent possession statistic does not nearly tell the story of Spain's dominance in the biggest game in sports. On some level, you could understand why Argentina was frustrated in the aftermath of the loss. It had no answer for Spain.
Afterward, you could see Messi wearing his regret and contrition for Argentina's defeat almost immediately. If his face below doesn't say, "Really ... that's it?" I don't know what does:
You have to feel for Messi. He certainly thought he was about to get the storybook ending. Instead, Spain's disciplined, technically sound defense and possession-based style of play took complete control of the game. It was only a matter of time before Spain wound up on top while sending off the greatest player of all time into likely international retirement.
Even if Sunday was Messi's probable last game for Argentina, he's not done playing as a professional soccer player. The living legend still has several years left on his contract with Inter Miami CF and has not announced any plans to stop playing altogether, at least just yet.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Lionel Messi’s pained grimace after Argentina lost World Cup final said it all
Continue reading...
Instead, after an anticlimactic match where Spain essentially controlled proceedings throughout, Argentina lost 1-0 after surrendering an extra-time goal to Ferran Torres. A 68 percent to 32 percent possession statistic does not nearly tell the story of Spain's dominance in the biggest game in sports. On some level, you could understand why Argentina was frustrated in the aftermath of the loss. It had no answer for Spain.
Afterward, you could see Messi wearing his regret and contrition for Argentina's defeat almost immediately. If his face below doesn't say, "Really ... that's it?" I don't know what does:
You have to feel for Messi. He certainly thought he was about to get the storybook ending. Instead, Spain's disciplined, technically sound defense and possession-based style of play took complete control of the game. It was only a matter of time before Spain wound up on top while sending off the greatest player of all time into likely international retirement.
Is Lionel Messi done playing soccer?
Even if Sunday was Messi's probable last game for Argentina, he's not done playing as a professional soccer player. The living legend still has several years left on his contract with Inter Miami CF and has not announced any plans to stop playing altogether, at least just yet.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Lionel Messi’s pained grimace after Argentina lost World Cup final said it all
Continue reading...
