BUENOS AIRES: Tears, silence and emotional farewells filled Argentina as fans watched Lionel Messi’s likely final World Cup campaign come to an end after a heartbreaking defeat against Spain.
At Café Relax bar in central Buenos Aires, supporters who had hoped for another historic Messi-led comeback were left devastated after Argentina’s 1-0 loss. For many, the biggest pain was the possibility that the 39-year-old captain had played his final World Cup match.
“I feel empty because of Messi, because I won’t see him in a World Cup again. This is the last one,” said 22-year-old architecture student Camilo Cichero while comforting his crying friend.
His friend Juan Saenz, also 22, said the match marked the end of an era. “I was born while Messi was playing, and this was the end of that era,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, celebrations continued in parts of Buenos Aires. Fireworks lit up the city, car horns echoed through streets and thousands of fans gathered at the iconic Obelisk to honour the team. Many supporters said they would still welcome the players when they return home.
President Javier Milei praised the team, writing on social media: “Thank you so much, players. You fought until the very end. Argentina will always stand tall.”
Before the match, confidence was high among Argentine fans who believed the team could secure another World Cup triumph. Supporters wearing the national colours gathered in bars and public spaces despite the cold weather, hoping for another unforgettable Messi moment.
However, excitement gradually turned into anxiety as the match progressed. Fans shouted at the screen, nervously waited through extra time and struggled to accept the final result.
A fan Abel Torres, 62, said the team had given everything. “Argentina gave it their all. Today was a true example of what Argentina is all about: that despite the hard times and obstacles we face, we always rise again,” he said.
In Messi’s hometown of Rosario, hundreds gathered with fireworks and chants to celebrate the football legend and his achievements. “We’ve already won a cup. We can’t just break down in tears — we have to celebrate. Messi has already put us at the very top of the world,” said local fan Sergio Irrazabal.
For many Argentines, the defeat was not just the end of a tournament but the closing chapter of the Messi generation that defined their football identity for nearly two decades.
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