Thank You, Lionel Messi, for giving the world one last bit of magic

Even defeat would not have erased what Argentina had achieved over the previous month, the resilience they showed, the late comebacks they scripted and the brilliance Messi continued to summon at 39. Yet, by the end of 120 minutes at MetLife Stadium in New York, the conversation had shifted dramatically. Instead of discussing Argentina's courage, much of the focus turned to their increasingly cynical approach, which overshadowed their football as Spain claimed a deserved 1-0 victory.

Argentina did not simply lose the World Cup final. They lost control of it. First through their football, then through their discipline, and finally through their conduct. If this truly was Messi's final appearance in an Argentina shirt, it was an ending few would have imagined for one of football's greatest careers.

Argentina's football has long been defined by a fascinating duality. On one side lies la nuestra, the country's traditional philosophy of expressive, attacking football, immortalised by the brilliant 1957 Copa America-winning side. On the other hand, there is an unapologetic embrace of football's darker arts. Diego Maradona embodied both sides in one unforgettable evening against England, following his infamous "Hand of God" goal with the "Goal of the Century."