Messi can conjure no more magic, as he relinquishes his crown

Lionel Messi could conjure no more magic.

Twenty years after his World Cup debut and a career that some believe makes him soccer's greatest ever player, at 39 he could not will Argentina to become the first repeat champion in more than half a century.

Spain outplayed the Albiceleste from the opening whistle at MetLife Stadium, where the overwhelming majority of the 80,663 spectators were hoping for a re-coronation.

Ferran Torres scored 37 seconds into the second extra-time period, lifting Spain to a 1-0 victory and its second World Cup title.

Instead of Messi becoming a twotime champion, the crown passed. He fought back tears and had a look of misery as he and teammates faced applauding and bowing Argentina fans at the stadium's south end, while Spanish stars lifted the trophy on a podium at the halfway line.

After leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 final against France, sandwiched between consecutive Copa America championships, Messi could only bow his head, grimace and put his hands on his hips as Spain's Lamine Yamal, less than a week past his 19th birthday and projected to be the sport's next big thing, ran to embrace Torres after the goal.

"I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he's achieved because he's the best football player ever to step foot on a pitch," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

Spain's dominance was thorough in the final and throughout the World Cup, as it extended its unbeaten streak to 38 games, the longest by a European team.

La Roja made 20 shots to Argentina's two in the match, the second-largest difference in a World Cup final since stats began being kept in 1966, behind only West Germany outshooting Argentina 23-1 in 1990, according to Opta. It also out-passed Argentina 845-433.

Spain conceded just one goal the entire tournament, the fewest by a World Cup champion, and scored 14 while compiling a 145-45 advantage in shots. Goalkeeper Unai Simon totaled 10 saves over eight games — Argentina's Emiliano Martinez had 11 in the final alone.

When Messi left European soccer for MLS three years ago, after four Champions League medals and 12 league titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, some speculated he would be another retiree moving to Florida.

Instead, he won an MLS title with Miami and led Argentina back to the final with eight goals and four assists. He has played in a record 34 World Cup games over six tournaments and boasts a World Cup goal tally of 21, the record until France's Kylian Mbappe scored twice in Saturday's third-place game to surpass him with 22.

Messi became the first player to start three World Cup finals and raised his international goals total to 125, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo's 146. He is now regularly mentioned in the same breath as compatriot Maradona and three-time World Cup champion Pele.

With his distinctive slow walk, arms swinging at his side as he waited for the right moment to burst into action, the diminutive 5-foot-7 attacker was the center of attention any time he got the ball on the right flank. Opponents and fans waited for him to cut to the center and unleash a shot with his lethal left foot.

Messi had just 15 touches in the first half of the final, and 54 over the whole game at the stadium where he has been repeatedly frustrated. He famously retired from international soccer after a loss on penalties to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final at MetLife, only to U-turn 47 days later and lead his nation to its third World Cup title four years later.

Against Spain, Messi never had the ball in a position to score, and his attempts to pass to teammates didn't connect.

"The first idea was to keep Messi at bay," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.

Half a dozen Spanish players walked over to Messi after the final whistle to console him. Messi dropped to the grass and sat, staring.

When Spain later formed a guard of honor for Argentina's players to collect their second-place medals, Messi tried to smile, but couldn't. He had a blank look as he walked through, and a few of the Spanish team patted him on the back and chest as he passed.

Spain is now the world's leading soccer power; the first nation to hold the men's and women's titles at the same time.

And, while gold confetti fluttered down upon Spain's jubilant players, Messi, adorned in consolation silver, headed glumly for the exit.

AP