Defending Messi after the final loss: 'The team is not better than this'

Following Argentina's 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, football analyst Kjetil Rekdal has defended Lionel Messi, arguing that the team's limitations, rather than Messi's performance, were the primary reason for the loss. Messi, playing in his third World Cup final, was unable to secure a second title as Spain clinched a 1-0 victory in extra time.

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One of the all-time greatest footballers. The match today was not played on his terms.

Rekdal, speaking in the VG studio after the match, emphasized Messi's status as one of history's greatest players. He stated that the final was not played on Messi's terms and that Argentina's overall team quality was insufficient to set up their star player more effectively. "The team (Argentina) is no better than this," Rekdal commented, expressing disappointment that Argentina lacked the means to involve Messi more in the game.

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The team (Argentina) is no better than this. A bit disappointing that Argentina doesn't have a little more to offer, so they didn't get to set up Messi more.

Messi, at 39 years old, registered zero shots on goal during the final. Both Messi and Bjørn Helge Riise suggested that this was likely Messi's last World Cup appearance, with Riise calling it a "sad ending" that the game wasn't more tailored to Messi's strengths. The match saw Ferran Torres score the decisive goal in the second half of extra time, dashing Argentina's hopes of defending their title.

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I think this was Messi's last championship. There is a time for everything. A bit sad that the match was not played more on his terms. Sad ending.