The Last Hurrah: Messi's Bittersweet Farewell to the World Cup Stage Lionel Messi's tearful exit from the FIFA World Cup final was a poignant reminder that even the greatest of all time are not immune to defeat and disappointment.
As he walked away with a silver medal around his neck, his eyes brimming with tears, it marked more than just a loss for Argentina – it represented the possible end of an era.
Twenty years after making his World Cup debut, Messi had once again proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with on football's biggest stage.