'The last of Messi': Argentines mourn loss and end of an era

In Buenos Aires, the fervent cheers and nervous excitement of Argentinian fans watching the 2026 World Cup final against Spain dissolved into anguish and tears as their team fell 1-0. The defeat marked what is widely seen as the end of an era, with Lionel Messi, at 39, likely playing his last World Cup match.

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I feel empty. Empty because of Messi, because I won't see him in a World Cup again. This is the last one.

Fans at the Cafe Relax bar expressed a profound sense of emptiness. "I feel empty. Empty because of Messi, because I won't see him in a World Cup again. This is the last one," said Camilo Cichero, a 22-year-old architecture student. His friend, Juan Saenz, a 22-year-old law student, echoed the sentiment, stating, "This was the last of Messi... it was the very end, and it finished this way."

Despite the team's "scrappy World Cup run built on a series of narrow victories," fans had gathered, draped in national colors, confident in their team's ability to win. However, the match proved incredibly tense, with emotions running high throughout. The dramatic extra-time goal by Ferran Torres sealed Argentina's fate, casting a pall of silence over the bar.

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This was the last of Messi ... it was the very end, and it finished this way.

While some fans lamented the team's performance and game plan, others found solace in the team's effort. "Argentina gave it their all. Today was a true example of what Argentina is all about," said Abel Torres, a 62-year-old retiree, his voice filled with emotion. The loss, however, signifies a poignant farewell to Messi's World Cup career, leaving a generation of fans to contemplate the conclusion of his iconic journey.

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Argentina gave it their all. Today was a true example of what Argentina is all about.