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

Nervous pleasure and rowdy cheers became anguished groans, nailbiting pressure and tears, as Argentines’ hope of yet one more epic comeback led by Lionel Messi within the World Cup fizzled out towards Spain.

On the Cafe Chill out bar within the historic centre of Buenos Aires, followers with tears of their eyes after the ultimate whistle blew on the 1-0 defeat mentioned that what saddened them most was that it was nearly actually 39-year-old Messi’s final shot at a World Cup.

“I really feel empty. Empty due to Messi, as a result of I will not see him in a World Cup once more. That is the final one,” mentioned Camilo Cichero, a 22-year-old structure scholar who was comforting his crying good friend.

“It isn’t how we anticipated it to go. A minimum of it provides me peace of thoughts realizing he is already gained every part there was to win.”

Composing himself, his good friend Juan Saenz, 22, a legislation scholar mentioned: “This was the final of Messi …it was the very finish, and it completed this manner.”

“I used to be born whereas Messi was enjoying, and this was the top of that period.”

Nevertheless it was not all tears.

Across the metropolis, fireworks went off, automotive horns honked, and 1000’s of followers nonetheless made their approach to the enduring Obelisk, the standard place for soccer celebrations.

Initially crestfallen, they quickly started partying once more to rejoice their staff and lots of mentioned that regardless of the defeat, they’d take to the streets to welcome the staff house on Monday (July 20, 2026).

“Thanks a lot, gamers!!! You fought till the very finish. Argentina will at all times stand tall,” President Javier Milei wrote on X.

They gave it their all

After a scrappy World Cup run constructed on a collection of slim victories, Argentines had been assured they might pull off a second victory in a row within the remaining in New Jersey.

Draped of their blue-and-white flag and donning the nationwide soccer jersey, they braved an icy chilly day to pack bars and public squares, fizzing with pleasure in the beginning of the sport.

In Cafe Chill out, which shows a flag saying it’s “forbidden to overlook” the Falkland Islands, which Argentina invaded in 1982 solely to be ejected by a British process power, nervous power and excited chants gave approach to pressure by half-time.

Within the second half offended shouts on the display screen had been interspersed with excited chants, and more and more foul language, whereas some sat arms folded, toes tapping and chewing their nails or burying their heads within the flag.

“Oh no, it may well’t be, please, please!” wailed one girl when Enzo Fernandez was despatched off for 2 yellow playing cards.

Earlier than additional time started, Teresa Dolores del Rio Varela, 87, complained that “it drags on and on, and also you begin to get nervous. I am completely happy, however I simply need it to finish as a result of it is getting lengthy.”

Joaquin Romero, 22, who works in gross sales mentioned the sport was “extremely difficult. I do not know the way it’ll occur, however it’ll occur for us. We’re Argentine. We’re champions and we will win.”

It was to not be.

A dramatic extra-time objective by Ferran Torres forged a pall of silence over the bar for the final agonizing minutes.

Cichero mentioned he was unhappy for Messi however dismayed on the sport.

“I did not like how Argentina performed. I did not like the sport plan, the substitutions, the gamers. I did not just like the referee.”

Abel Torres, a 62-year-old retiree sporting a blue-and-white jester hat and blowing a vuvuzela all through the sport, teared up as he described the “extremely emotional” sport.

“Argentina gave it their all. Right now was a real instance of what Argentina is all about: that regardless of the arduous occasions and the obstacles we face, we at all times rise once more.”

In Messi’s hometown Rosario, a whole lot gathered to rejoice the participant and his staff with fireworks and chants.

“We have already gained a cup. We will not simply break down in tears — we’ve to rejoice. Messi has already put us on the very prime of the world,” Sergio Irrazabal instructed AFP.

Revealed – July 20, 2026 12:49 pm IST