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Lionel Messi proud of Argentina but says final loss ‘will take time to heal’
['Press Association Sport Staff']
Irish News
Lionel Messi spoke for the first time since losing the World Cup final (Matt Rourke/AP)Lionel Messi says the “pain is immense” and “will take time to heal” following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain which saw them come up short in the World Cup final.
Argentina were looking to make it back-to-back tournament victories but were beaten by Ferran Torres’ strike in extra time, earning Spain their second World Cup title.
Argentina experienced similar heartbreak after they were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final, meaning Messi has now lost twice in the defining game of the competition.
At 39, it could turn out to be his final World Cup, but Messi showed no signs of slowing down as he contributed eight goals and four assists.
Messi, expressing his feelings publicly for the first time since Sunday’s loss in New York, posted on Instagram: “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal.