🐐 39~year old LIONEL M8SSI has been unanimously chosen the Best Player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup NOT by FIFA but by these institutions, publications and Football media outlets for the ENTIRE tournament.

🥇IFFHS (Federación Internacional de
Historia y Estadísticas del Fútbol)
🥇AIPS (Asociación Internacional de la Prensa Deportiva)
🥇THE ATHLETIC
🥇FOX SPORTS
🥇SKY SPORTS
🥇USA TODAY
🥇ESPN
🥇WHOSCORED
🥇SOFASCORE FOOTBALL
🥇YAHOO SPORTS
🥇TRANSFERMARKT
🥇365 SCORES
🥇COMPLEXSPORTS /FANALYSIS
🥇BBC SPORT (Phil McNulty, Liz Conway, Gary Rose, John Murray BBC Sport journalists)

I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion since the World Cup final, and I honestly don’t know what to think anymore.
There are reports and clips circulating claiming that:
Messi was fouled several times during the match without proper punishment.
Some questionable refereeing decisions went against Argentina.
Messi had an incredible tournament but didn’t win the Best Player award.
There was an alleged confrontation between Gavi and Paredes after the match because of comments made about Messi.
Whether you’re Argentine, Spanish, or just a Messi fan, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Do you think Messi and Argentina were treated unfairly in the final, or do you think people are overreacting because emotions are still high?
Please keep the discussion respectful. I’m genuinely curious to see different opinions.

Te amo Leo. 💙❤️

Thank you for everything you've brought to the game and to our hearts. Greatest of all time. You've won it all my king.

Hey guys, everywhere on social media I see people talking ill of our GOAT, mainly due to the incident with Cucurella and him (and the rest of the team) turning their backs on Spain after winning the Final. It’s so uncharacteristic of Messi to do this and I’m confused, so I wanted to ask everyone’s thoughts on the incident, not necessarily people’s reaction to it because 90% of these people started watching football for the first time in their life this World Cup.

How's my edit guys, do tell me!

ig: @footballwithmady

(I was really heartbroken after the final , I was so sad that I felt expressing myself through words would be the best to conjure up my feelings. So I wrote a heartfelt letter to my idol Leo )

When you ride through the highs, you have to ride through the lows too.

This hurts. Just like 2014 hurt. Just like 2016 hurt. But somehow, the joy you gave us in 2021, 2022, and 2024 makes those painful memories a little easier to carry.

Thank you, Leo.

Thank you for making me fall in love with football. Thank you for making me fall in love with Barça.

If this was the last time I ever saw you wearing the Albiceleste jersey, donning the number 10, then all I can say is that I cherished every moment of it.

More than the loss itself, it hurts my soul the most is knowing that I may never get to watch the man I have loved, admired, and rooted for since 2014 play for Argentina again. You just won't be there anymore.

And somehow, that makes me realize that my childhood is over.

All those years, all those matches, all those nights of waiting to watch you play for Barça , they're slowly becoming memories now. And that hurts more than words can express.

You inspired an entire generation of kids like me.

I grew up watching you. I celebrated with you. I cried with you. Your defeats broke my heart, and your victories gave me memories I will carry for the rest of my life.

There will never be another Lionel Messi.

I'm just grateful that, out of all the eras I could have been born into, I was born at exactly the right time to witness you.

Not through old highlights.

Not through stories.

I got to watch you live.

I got to watch my idol.

And if this really is goodbye, thank you for making my childhood so special.

Te amo, Lionel Messi.

Te amo.

Gracias por todo, Leo.

Journalists and political/social researchers need to study the affect propaganda has when spread on social media using this World Cup as a case study. There is something going on with the amount of people who think it was rigged for Argentina and Messi’s public image taking a complete 180. There’s even credible rumors (journalists are apparently looking into this) right now that influencers were paid (by who?) to spread misinformation about Argentina/Messi/Fifa. I don’t even like Argentina that much (play style and dirtiness) but was rooting for them because of Messi with my team out (Italy). It’s okay obviously if you weren’t rooting for Argentina but it’s actually alarming how much complete bullshit has spread on social media about this WC. If over the span of three weeks, propaganda was able to spread like this about a sport and create such a big narrative hive mind, the effect it has on issues that actually matter is concerning…

I didn't really think that Messi would play the wc , let alone playing a huge part in argentina wc campaign

But the fact that at 39 years of age Messi is still scoring goals at the big stage and got himself into best 11 of the tournament proves why he is often considered as the 🐐

Forever grateful to messi !!!

My Top 5 were..

1. 2nd Assist vs England
   
2. 2nd Goal vs Austria
   
3. Goal vs Cape Verde
   
4. Goal vs Egypt
   
5. 3rd Goal vs Algeria

Probably the last time seeing him in La Albiceleste♥️

What a player, what a man.🇦🇷🐐

From mesmerizing the world in a Barcelona shirt to leading Argentina with unmatched passion, Messi inspired an entire generation. He showed that when you're relentless, fearless and unwavering in your pursuit of greatness, no obstacle is too big to overcome.

Legends aren't remembered only for the trophies they lift, but for the millions they inspire.

Thank you for every magical moment Leo.

Forever my G.O.A.T. ♥️🤍💙

A quick motion graphic in honor of Messi at the World Cup. It always feels like we’re viewing Messi in a crystal ball.

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics named Messi the Player of the tournament.

I’d give literally anything to see Messi take his “Last Dance.” I honestly feel like he could do it. Imagine if Messi even went retro for his last appearance as well ~ shaving his beard and growing his hair out. I just genuinely want to see The Legend known as Lionel Messi go out with a bang and win a 2nd World Cup trophy before internationally retiring.

You deserve better king.💔

Argentina has been criticized for supposedly not looking at the winners during the trophy celebration even though the players were clearly thanking their own fans.

Someone posted a video showing that France's national team in 2022 didn't even stay on the pitch while Argentina celebrated lifting the trophy nor did Croatia. The post was gaining huge traction and the comments were full of people pointing out the apparent double standard.

Before it could gain even more attention the mods nuked it.

What's even more ironic is that Argentina are the only finalists in the last four World Cup finals to stay on the pitch and watch the winners celebrate, both in 2014 and 2026. If that isn't feeding a one sided narrative idk what is.

I hate how this World Cup has been consumed by hate surrounding Messi and the Argentina National Team. The hate doesn't even feel organic, it feels more like hopping on the bandwagon or potentially even bribes.

For example, my friend who doesn't even watch Football is saying how "MESSi Is SHoRt RiGGer DwaRf" or how "ArGeNtIna RiGs".

He will be 43 by the time the **2030 World Cup** kicks off across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Is it physically impossible for him to stay on the roster that long, even just as a bench leader?

Seems timely.