“The pain is very great, and it will take time for this wound to heal”. That is how Lionel Messi began the message he posted on Instagram just hours after losing the final to Spain.
He did not hide. He spoke about the blow, but also about what this journey leaves behind: matches turned around through sheer heart, an entire country pushing from afar, and a group that, even with the defeat, reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Something few national teams achieve.
He closed by thanking everyone for each message of support and congratulating Spain on the title. A defeat that hurt, but also united an entire country behind the same jersey ⚽🇦🇷