Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, likely played his final World Cup match on Sunday as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. The defeat ended Argentina's hopes of winning the tournament for the first time since 1986. Messi, who turns 39 next year, had carried his team through the tournament with several standout performances. However, in the final, Argentina struggled to create chances as Spain controlled possession and eventually scored the winning goal. Despite late pressure, Argentina could not find an equalizer. The match was Messi's last chance to win the World Cup, the only major trophy missing from his collection. He had previously led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This final defeat means Messi leaves the World Cup stage without a loss in his legacy, but without another title. Spain's victory marked their second World Cup win, adding to their 2010 triumph. For Argentina, the loss was a bitter end to a campaign that had raised hopes among fans. The team had shown resilience throughout the knockout stages but could not overcome Spain's disciplined defense. Messi's future with the national team is uncertain. While he has not announced retirement, this likely was his last World Cup appearance. Fans around the world celebrated his career even as Argentina fell short.