Argentina captain Lionel Messi says the “pain is immense” and “will take time to heal” following his team’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.

Argentina was looking to make it back-to-back tournament victories but was beaten by Ferran Torres’ strike in extra time on Sunday (US time), earning Spain its second World Cup title.

Argentina experienced similar heartbreak after it lost to Germany in the 2014 final, meaning Messi has lost twice in the competition’s defining game.

At 39, it could turn out to be his final World Cup, but Messi showed no signs of slowing down as he contributed eight goals and four assists.

“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things,” Messi posted on Instagram, revealing his feelings publicly for the first time since the loss in New York,

“The matches we turned around by giving it our all — moments that will remain in our memories forever – and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, brought us back among the world’s elite once again.

“It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.

“I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

Meanwhile, FIFA will open an investigation into the confrontational behaviour displayed ‌by a handful of Argentina players and ‌at least one coach after the ‌team’s defeat to Spain.

Dejected Argentina players after their World Cup final loss to Spain. Photo: AAP 

After Spain won its ‌second ‌World ⁠Cup title, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes ​was handed a red card for confronting multiple Spanish players on the field. Defender Nahuel Molina had his own confrontation ⁠with ‌Spain captain Rodri.

The ​behaviour of assistant coach Roberto Ayala ​also will ‌be reviewed.

The probe also will include ​a review of the Argentina team’s behaviour during post-match festivities, when players ​reportedly turned their backs on ‌the trophy presentation.

Spain’s World Cup heroes return

Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team has been welcomed home by King Felipe VI after its triumph over Argentina.

The Spanish king hailed the squad’s “epic” victory and described them as a “legendary and historic team.”

“You are tired – but what a wonderful kind of tiredness. Congratulations,” Felipe told the players at a reception at Madrid’s Royal Palace.

He praised the team’s triumph as the culmination of a true “odyssey” and urged them to savour the celebrations.

“There is still much to celebrate. Enjoy every kiss, every gesture of recognition, for you have earned them,” he said.

Felipe also thanked the squad on behalf of all Spaniards and noted that Spain now held both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles.

Felipe was in the crowd for Sunday’s World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Queen Letizia and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía. During the trophy presentation, the king embraced players and posed with the World Cup trophy.

In a post on X, the Spanish royal household congratulated the national team, calling the victory “a triumph that will forever be part of the history of Spanish sport.”

Following the palace reception, captain Rodri and his teammates were to pay a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before embarking on an open-top bus parade through central Madrid.

Up to one million fans were expected to gather at the city’s Cibeles Square later on Monday for a public celebration of Spain’s World Cup victory.