Undermined by Argentina’s lack of possession, Lionel Messi barely had a chance to touch the ball and work his magic in the World Cup final.
Lionel Messi is pictured after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final July 19.
FIFA via Getty Images
Ten years ago, Lionel Messi had cried his way off this same MetLife Stadium pitch and choked up as he announced his retirement from international soccer.
This time, Sunday’s tears were fresh. So was the heartbreak.
And at 39, this one may have been Messi’s last Argentina heartbreak.
Messi might be the Greatest of All Time, but his time has come. In what could well be the final international appearance of his iconic career, Argentina got smothered 1-0 by Spain before 80,663 at MetLife Stadium.