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Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain on Sunday, marking what was almost certainly the final tournament appearance for Lionel Messi.
Across the historic center of Buenos Aires, tearful fans processing the 1-0 defeat expressed that their deepest sadness stemmed from seeing the 39-year-old captain’s last shot at a World Cup slip away.
"I feel completely empty, mostly for Messi, because we won't see him on this stage again," said Camilo Cichero, a 22-year-old architecture student, while comforting a crying friend. "It is not how we expected it to end, but at least I have peace of mind knowing he has already won everything there was to win."
His friend, 22-year-old law student Juan Saenz, added after composing himself: "This was Messi's final act ... the absolute end, and it finished like this. I was born while Messi was already playing, and today marks the end of that entire era."
Despite the heartbreak, the atmosphere was not entirely somber. Fireworks soon echoed across the city, car horns honked, and thousands of fans still marched toward the iconic Obelisk, the traditional hub for football celebrations.
Though initially crestfallen, supporters quickly shifted back into a celebratory mood to honor their squad, with many vowing to take to the streets to welcome the team home on Monday. "Thank you so much, players!!! You fought until the very end. Argentina will always stand tall," President Javier Milei posted on X.
Following a gritty World Cup run built on a string of narrow victories, Argentines felt confident they could secure a second consecutive title in the New Jersey final.
Draped in their blue-and-white flags and donning the national jersey, fans braved a cold day to pack bars and public squares, buzzing with excitement at kickoff.
At Cafe Relax, which proudly displays a flag stating it is "forbidden to forget" the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, the early nervous energy and passionate chants gave way to heavy tension by halftime.
During the second half, the atmosphere in the bars grew tense, with fans alternating between anxious silence and frustrated shouting. The anxiety peaked when Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving Argentina a player down for the remainder of the match.
Before extra time began, 87-year-old Teresa Dolores del Rio Varela expressed her exhaustion, noting that the prolonged match was becoming difficult to watch. However, younger fans remained optimistic; Joaquin Romero, a 22-year-old sales worker, acknowledged the difficulty of the game but maintained confidence that Argentina's championship experience would carry them to victory.
It was not to be. A late extra-time goal by Spain's Ferran Torres silenced the venue for the final agonizing minutes of the match.
Following the final whistle, Cichero expressed disappointment with the team's performance, criticizing the overall game plan, substitutions, and refereeing decisions.
In contrast, Abel Torres, a 62-year-old retiree who had been cheering throughout the match, grew emotional when describing the team's effort. He noted that despite the defeat, the players demonstrated the resilience that defines the country during difficult times.
The sentiment was shared in Messi's hometown of Rosario, where hundreds of fans gathered to honor the team's tournament run with fireworks and chants. Resident Sergio Irrazabal told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that while the loss was difficult, the nation should celebrate everything Messi and the squad achieved on the world stage.
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