Former Real Madrid attacker Angel Di Maria hailed his compatriot Lionel Messi as the best player of all time despite 10-man holders Argentina's 1-0 extra time loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday (July 19).

Messi, 39, couldn't impact proceedings for the one game that mattered most after scoring or assisting in a record 11 games in the competition as the Albiceleste - reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal came up short.

La Roja dominated possession and controlled proceedings but saw a record 11 saves made by Albiceleste custodian Emiliano Martinez before substitute Ferran Torres beat him in the 106th minute from close range off a Nico Williams assist.

Nevertheless, Di Maria - who had won the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the Albiceleste with Messi - praised the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for his contributions to Argentine football (as per Albiceleste Talk):

Di Maria and Lionel Messi had given the Albiceleste a 2-0 lead in the final of the 2022 edition in Qatar before France scored twice in the last 10 minutes to force extra time. There, each team scored again, before Lionel Scaloni's side prevailed 4-2 on penalties to win their third title, first in 36 years.

Former England defender Lee Dixon was critical of Lionel Messi trying to get newly signed Real Madrid full-back Marc Cucurella get sent off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final for covering his mouth in an exchange with the Argentine after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal.

Fernandez saw red for a second yellow after an ill-timed tackle on Pau Cubarsi, reducing the Albiceleste to 10 men for the entire period of extra time. However, Cucurella avoided a red for covering his mouth during his interaction with Lionel Messi, as VAR deemed it as non-confrontational.

One of three La Roja players - the others being Pau Cubarsi and Unai Simon - to play every minute of all eight games during their triumphant campaign, the 27-year-old Cucurella was signed by Real Madrid last month on a six-year deal.

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