Peter I.

[JJ. Omojuwa @Omojuwa]

FIFA robbed Messi of the Golden Ball. Anyone who watched this World Cup knows that. And they didn’t have to do that.

Twelve of Argentina’s nineteen goals ran through him, eight scored, four created. That’s before you look at the goals where he didn’t get the assist but fashioned the goal.

He won more MOTM awards. Had better rating on average. If they wanted the Golden Ball to go to a player in the winning team, they should make it a clear rule.

He dragged Argentina back from the dead against Egypt, then England, and carried them to a final at 39. Rodri had an excellent tournament in the best team in the world. Messi was Argentina’s entire run. He got cheated out of this one. Won’t matter much amidst his glittering legacy, but I hope it doesn’t happen to another deserving player in the future.

[NJ.300 @nj_300x]

This World Cup just shows how easy it is to manipulate people with mass propaganda and false info💀

[Peter I. @_irewole_]

You guys must have your head in the sand if you think Argentina is not about teamwork

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

The fundamental quality required when building a World Cup-winning side is a group of top-level footballers.

No one has ever won this competition without several world-class players in their starting XI.

Equally, there are numerous examples of teams who have failed despite all the talent they could hope for, and teams who punch above their weight through cohesion and mutual understanding.

All this is fairly obvious, but never before in World Cup history has there been a final between two teams at obviously opposite ends of the spectrum.

Other World Cup finals have been billed as Johan Cruyff vs Franz Beckenbauer (1974), Roberto Baggio vs Romario (1994) or Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe (2022).

But this is more of a hybrid: it’s Spain vs Messi.

📝 @Zonal_Marking

🔗 https://t.co/qrO1cQrlha

[DAVESON™ @Davesonude]

Make I leave Messi support 8 barca players😂😂
I literally cover my eyes anytime Antonella posts bikini pictures on instagram
Una no understand this loyalty o

[Mr Melancholy @chakravartiiin]

Maradona in heaven after argentina beats england, again

[Peter I. @_irewole_]

If you can't beat them on the pitch, you beat them on the tabloid, I guess?

[Ishaan Tharoor @ishaantharoor]

I assume many will see my latest @NewYorker column as churlish and grumpy. Fair enough. I am a lifelong Argentina fan, like tens of millions also from the Global South. But this is not the team that stirs my childhood nostalgia

[Luis Mazariegos @luism8989]

Again I'm glad these situations aren't resulting in immediate reds, although one wonders what might happen if a less honorable player would've complained to the ref. Or what the reaction on Twitter would be if the roles were reversed.

[Daniel @General_D__]

Una sure say curbasi deserve that young player of the tournament ahead of messi?

[FC Barcelona @FCBarcelona]

The Barça Foundation 2008 solidarity calendar, in collaboration with @sport and @unicef, featuring Leo Messi, Lamine Yamal, and other Barça players.

A special campaign to raise funds for UNICEF and for Barça
Foundation childhood protection programs. 💙❤️

[talkSPORT @talkSPORT]

😡 "I cannot believe the arrogance of every single caller and you boys!"

🤦‍♂️ "England drew with Ghana... you're talking about smashing Argentina!"

This caller was not happy with @ChelseaRory and Max Scott's optimism about England's World Cup hopes! 😤

[ENIOLA🤍 @joh_ker2430]

Dem commot rice put beans. Messi chop everything🤣🤣🤣

[Big Pheelz @yung_pheelz01]

Make Messi dey train for O’rielly and Konsa? 😂

[©️Mr Xperience @Xperience_Snr]

Rodrigo de Paul just dey bench dey write names of players way kick Lionel Messi. 😂😂😂

[Peter I. @_irewole_]

Let them know!

[Inter Miami CF @InterMiamiCF]

¡Leo y Rodri son finalistas del Mundial! 🌎

[39 @39billion]

Enzo first test Pickford with better shot before him play am the real cassette.

Think we are here to joke.

[OptaJoe @OptaJoe]

1 - The 2026 final between Spain and Argentina will be the first ever FIFA World Cup final between the reigning UEFA European champions, and the reigning CONMEBOL Copa America champions.

Showdown.

[Fola Olatunji-David @folasanwo]

Tbh, I won’t blame any 27+ year old Argentine player that retires internationally after this World Cup.

You’ve played 4 finals with Messi, won 2 copas, about to win 2nd WC.

It can only go downhill from here. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[NWS New York NY @NWSNewYorkNY]

Smell smoke this morning? Its coming from a wildfire outbreak in Ontario. While it should not impact air quality much today, smoke at the surface could increase Wednesday into Thursday, potentially reducing visibilities and air quality. High temperatures may also be limited.

[OptaJoe @OptaJoe]

9 & 2 - Lionel Messi completed nine dribbles and assisted two goals against England - the first player on record (from 1966) to do so in a single FIFA World Cup knockout game.

Catalyst.

[Muteeulahi @Muteeulahi94]

Mbappe wanted to use "assist" to win the Golden boot from Messi, baba had to remind him that this is his territory