Will Lionel Messi retire from international soccer after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain?

The Argentina that captivated the world through Lionel Messi, the team whose journey resonated far beyond its borders because of one man’s relentless pursuit of greatness even after achieving it so many times, showed the side of itself in the World Cup final against Spain that much of the soccer world has long criticized.

The image of Messi in tears during the trophy ceremony, looking as though he were saying goodbye to the game he helped define, captured both the moment and his career. A magnificent soccer player. A fierce competitor. A legend whose time is gradually coming to an end, not because his greatness has faded, but because time catches everyone, and because a new generation, led by Spain’s Rodri and Lamine Yamal, is already taking over.

Argentina completely outplayed by Spain

Outplayed by Spain and unable to compete through soccer alone, Argentina left the spotlight to players like Nicolás Otamendi, Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernández.

The constant late shoves, cynical fouls and heavy challenges culminated in a chaotic ending, after Enzo Fernández had already been sent off for a reckless studs-up challenge on Pau Cubarsí that earned him a deserved second yellow card.

Paredes, in particular, has long lived in Messi’s shadow. Without the protection and influence Messi provides, it’s difficult to imagine him even making this World Cup squad.

He came off the bench looking to impose himself physically rather than technically. The shove he gave Rodri almost immediately after entering the match made his intentions obvious. Scaloni, meanwhile, turned to his bench much earlier than usual, using all five substitutions before the 70th minute.

Scaloni casts doubt on future with Argentina

After the final, the Argentina coach cast doubt over his own future.

“Until December, and then I’ll probably step away,” he said, leaving open the possibility that his time in charge may be ending.

Scaloni also showed once again how willing he is to adapt his tactics to different opponents. His decision to start Gonzalo Montiel, Nico González and Rodrigo De Paul was clearly designed to slow Spain down. It was unusual to make so many changes between a World Cup semifinal and final, but injuries and fitness concerns had begun to catch up with his veteran squad.

Enzo Fernández also became caught up in the aggressive approach Argentina adopted to stop Spain.

Whether because there was no other solution or because Scaloni’s team never looked for one, Argentina relied on physicality throughout the match. It often feels as though even its most talented players are expected to embrace that edge as part of representing a national team that prides itself on never giving in and never making life easy for an opponent.

Enzo took that approach too far.

His reckless challenge on Cubarsí earned him a clear second yellow card and left Argentina to play the remainder of extra time with 10 men.

Argentina has long been considered a master of soccer’s darker arts, using experience, gamesmanship and physical play to drag opponents into uncomfortable matches.

That formula helped force this final into extra time, where Argentina has so often thrived by frustrating and exhausting its rivals. Penalty kicks appeared to be the plan, the last hope of denying Spain.

This time, it wasn’t enough.

The future for Argentina suddenly looks uncertain.

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