Spain 1, Argentina 0: World Cup loss can't diminish Messi's legacy | OneFootball

Messi, at 39, played the best World Cup of his career

Winning the 2022 World Cup propelled Lionel Messi to a commanding lead in the greatest-player-of-all-time debate; his performance at the 2026 World Cup removed all doubt.

On Sunday, Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in extra-time to end La Albiceleste's dreams of becoming the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil lifted the trophy in 1958 and 1962. Spain -- now unbeaten in its last 38 matches -- dominated Argentina, holding them without a shot until the 117th minute, deep in extra time. The Spaniards allowed just a single goal -- to Belgium -- in eight World Cup matches. No one can argue Spain didn't deserve its second World Cup title (the first came in 2010).

Many WILL argue that Messi should have earned his third Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player instead of Spain and Manchester United midfielder Rodri. I was ready to make that argument Sunday; on Monday, after learning more about Rodri's importance to La Roja, I backed down. Rodri, the 2024 Balon d'Or winner -- is the engine that powered Spain; his stats aren't as flashy as Messi's, but they shouldn't be dismissed.

According to Squawka, a soccer analytics website based in London, Rodri, 30, led all World Cup players with 910 touches, 811 attempted passes, 756 completed passes, 204 completed final-third passes; and 26 tackles.

Rodri's statistical dominance confirms the qualities that Yahoo! Sports reported make him the ideal motor of the world's best midfield: "an ability to dominate possession, recycle the ball with extraordinary efficiency, press intelligently, and win duels that others would consider lost before the contest begins."

Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri surprised many observers by winning the World Cup Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player instead of Messi. | Andrew Harnik/GettyImages

If you watched Spain's midfield dominate possession and dictate game pace throughout the tournament -- especially against powerhouses France and Argentina -- and understand Rodri's role in the scheme, it's easier to believe he earned the Golden Ball.

How good was Messi? Historically. In 2026, he played more minutes, scored more goals and tallied more assists than any of his previous five tournaments, which is mitigated somewhat by the fact the expanded tournament made more games possible. Playing more wouldn't affect his Sofascore Football player rating, though, a career-high 8.8 of a possible 10 in 2026.

In four of his six World Cup runs, Messi posted player ratings higher than 8 and none lower than 7.7. But peaking at 8.8 at the age of 39, after winning the 2022 World Cup, after eight Balon d'Or awards, after two World Cup Golden Balls, after becoming the most decorated player on the planet -- and one of the wealthiest and most beloved...after everything, his passion, commitment and effort, after playing the best tournament of his career with nothing to prove?