Antonela Roccuzzo dedicated an emotional public message to Lionel Messi on her Instagram account this Monday, just hours after Argentina was defeated by Spain in the final of the 2026 World Cup.
In the post that garnered over a million likes, the wife of the captain of the albiceleste stated: “You will always be the best. Not just for your talent, but because you never stopped being yourself. No matter what happens, you never give up, you always fight until the end and give everything you have until the last second. That strength, that mentality, and that ability to rise up time and again are what make you unique.”
The text was accompanied by images of Messi with the tournament's silver medal and of his teammates throwing it into the air during a previous match.
Antonela also highlighted the value that the footballer represents beyond the sport: "Thank you for teaching us every day that true success is built on work, sacrifice, perseverance, and never losing one's essence. You are the best example for our children and an inspiration for millions of people."
The message concluded with a personal declaration: "I admire you more than words can express, and I feel immensely proud to walk through this life by your side. I love you so much."
The context of the message is about a defeat that could mark the end of Messi's World Cup career. On Sunday, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, snatching the title from the Albiceleste team that they had won in Qatar 2022.
Messi, 39 years old, received the silver medal in tears and remained seated on the grass with a distant look after the final whistle. It was his sixth and perhaps his last World Cup as a player for the national team, although so far, the Rosario native has not officially confirmed his departure from the Argentine team.
This Monday, Messi also posted on Instagram his own words about the defeat: "The pain is very great, and it will be hard for this wound to heal", although he also congratulated Spain for the championship.
Antonela's message adds to a series of supportive posts she made throughout the tournament, including texts after Messi's hat trick against Algeria, his double against Austria, and the victory against Egypt in the round of sixteen, when she wrote that “there are no words left” to describe her partner.
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