Emotional Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni hailed heartbroken Lionel Messi as the best footballer ever and tearfully cast doubt over his future following World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Having dug deep throughout a rollercoaster knockout phase, Wednesday’s late semi-final comeback against England only fuelled belief that a second successive global crown was within reach.
But Argentina were a pale imitation of the side that overcame Thomas Tuchel’s men, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez keeping Spain at bay during 90 minutes in which his team failed to muster a shot.
Enzo Fernandez’s red card just before extra time increased the difficulty of the task facing a team that ended up suffering a thoroughly deserved 1-0 defeat sealed by super sub Ferran Torres’ strike.
“I feel sadness but knowing that we left everything out there,” boss Scaloni said. “I have a lot of things to say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it.
“I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another World Cup final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth.
“But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they have done, of what it’s worth to get this far. We have to give it huge validity because it takes a lot to get here.”
Scaloni was highly emotional in the post-match press conference, breaking down in tears before making an early exit.
“I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future,” the victorious Qatar 2022 coach said. “Because I’m not sure this can be achieved again.”
Argentina will almost certainly go into the next World Cup without star skipper Messi, who sobbed after what looks to be his last game on the global stage.
“He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable,” Scaloni said. “It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him.
“I hope everyone is proud of him, because he is the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch.”
As Argentina digest this immense disappointment, Spain are celebrating becoming the first nation to hold the men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.
La Roja added a second men’s global championship to their European crown from 2024 and head coach Luis de la Fuente could not be happier with this special group.
“I feel especially proud of this generation of footballers who have grown with this idea, making it better and giving us an example of a group, of a family,” he said.
“They are players with exceptional talent. For me, it has been an honour to have accompanied them on this journey.
“I’m very emotional after looking back. We have spoken a lot with the players: we have won everything, and that is wonderful.
“They are a generation of footballers who are a source of pride for Spain. Together, we are stronger.
“I think the game should have been decided earlier. Dibu’s (Martinez) great saves prevented us from winning sooner, but it is a World Cup final and, even (playing against) 10 players at the end, you have to suffer.”
PA
