Messi's last dance shines despite World Cup final defeat

Argentina's Lionel Messi looks dejected at the awards ceremony after finishing runner-up at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. [Reuters]

Lionel Messi, the "god of football," delivered a graceful last dance and took his final bow on the World Cup stage.

In Monday's 2026 North and Central America World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, Messi fought until the final whistle of extra time, driving attacks with sharp crosses and passes, but could not save his team from defeat.

Yet his performances throughout the tournament shone. He showcased a level of skill that seemed almost impossible for a man approaching 40, dazzling football fans around the world. Whatever the result, he brought a beautiful close to his career on the grandest stage.

Messi set a new record as the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final, at 39 years and 25 days, surpassing the previous mark of 37 years and 241 days held by Sweden's Gunnar Gren.

Messi missed out on the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player, but claimed the Silver Ball for second place — the first time he has received the Silver Ball at a World Cup, having won the Golden Ball at both the 2014 Brazil tournament and the 2022 Qatar tournament. Messi has now appeared in three World Cup finals in total, capping his career when he lifted the trophy at the previous Qatar edition.

He also narrowly fell short of the Golden Boot. French superstar Kylian Mbappe claimed the award for the second consecutive tournament with 10 goals and four assists, while Messi, who scored eight goals and added four assists, received the Silver Boot for the second consecutive World Cup, as he did in Qatar.

Spain, which conquered world football for the first time in 16 years by defeating Argentina, swept most of the individual awards as well. Rodri, captain and key midfielder of the "Invincible Armada," was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player in recognition of his role in leading Spain to the title at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, Rodri became the first Spanish player in history to win the World Cup Golden Ball. He drew widespread praise for setting a new standard for the defensive midfielder in modern football, and delivered a polished performance on both ends of the pitch throughout the tournament.

Rising defensive talent Pau Cubarsí and goalkeeper Unai Simón were awarded the Young Player Award and the Golden Glove, respectively, for anchoring a defense that conceded just one goal across eight matches. It was also the first time a Spanish player had won the Young Player Award. Simón became the world's best goalkeeper for the first time since Iker Casillas in 2010, a gap of 16 years.

The Fair Play Award went to the Netherlands, the "Oranje."

Argentina's Lionel Messi receives his runner-up silver medal and shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup awards ceremony on Monday. [AFP]

yjc@heraldcorp.com