Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of Lionel Messi following Argentina’s defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain. While the result sparked discussions over Messi’s performance on the biggest stage, Ganguly urged fans not to judge the Argentine icon based on a single match. Instead, he emphasized that Messi’s remarkable achievements over the course of his career remain untouched despite the disappointment in the final.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The European side controlled the contest with a disciplined tactical display and prevented Argentina from playing their usual attacking football, eventually lifting their second FIFA World Cup title.
Sourav Ganguly backs Lionel Messi after FIFA World Cup 2026 final
Sharing his views on the final, Ganguly said that even the greatest athletes have off days and that evaluating Messi’s career through the lens of one performance would be unfair. The former India skipper also highlighted that Messi has already accomplished almost everything possible in football. He pointed out that the Argentine superstar has won the FIFA World Cup, broken numerous records, and established himself as one of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen.
“Lionel Messi’s legacy should never be judged on the basis of a single match. We must always remember that he is a human being, and no one performs at the same level every day. There will be off days. Evaluating his entire career based on one final or one performance is simply unfair. Messi has already won the World Cup, broken countless records, and established himself as one of the greatest footballers in history through his extraordinary talent. One defeat does not diminish his achievements or his greatness in any way,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly praises Spain’s tactical masterclass
Ganguly also credited Spain for their exceptional performance in the final, stating that they never allowed Argentina to settle into the game. He felt Spain’s tactical discipline and desire to win proved to be the difference between the two sides. While acknowledging Argentina’s impressive run to the final, Ganguly reiterated that football is a sport where even the strongest teams can fall short on a given day.
“I did not watch the entire World Cup, but I followed several key matches, including the semifinals and the final. In the final, I felt Spain never allowed Argentina to play their natural game from the very beginning. Tactically, Spain were far better prepared. Their game plan was flawless, and their hunger to win was evident. That is why the final turned into such a one-sided contest. Spain were outstanding as a team and fully deserved to win the World Cup. Reaching the final itself is a significant achievement for Argentina. But in football, one team wins and the other loses, that is the nature of the sport. On the day, Spain were the better side and deserved to lift the trophy,” he concluded.
