FULL LIST: Messi’s major final defeats rise to 13 after World Cup heartbreak against Spain
Lionel Messi’s tally of major final defeats has increased to 13 following Argentina’s painful 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, adding another difficult chapter to the legendary forward’s career.
The defeat denied Messi the opportunity to win a second consecutive World Cup title and marked another setback in a career that has produced numerous trophies but also several painful losses on football’s biggest stages.
Spain defeated Argentina in the final after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending the South American side’s hopes of retaining the trophy and handing Spain their second World Cup title.
Messi, who became only the second player after Brazil legend Cafu to appear in three World Cup finals, had previously experienced both triumph and heartbreak in international finals.
Below is the full list of major finals Messi has lost throughout his career:
1. 2007 Copa América Final
Argentina 0-3 Brazil
Messi suffered his first major international final defeat as Argentina were beaten by Brazil in the Copa América final in Venezuela.
2. 2009 Copa del Rey Final
Athletic Bilbao 1-4 Barcelona
Messi and Barcelona lifted several trophies during their golden era, but this was one of the early final defeats in his club career.
3. 2011 Copa del Rey Final
Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time goal gave Real Madrid victory over Barcelona in a tense final.
4. 2013 Copa del Rey Final
Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Barcelona again lost to their rivals in the Copa del Rey final as Messi missed out on another domestic cup.
5. 2014 FIFA World Cup Final
Germany 1-0 Argentina
Mario Götze’s extra-time goal denied Messi his first World Cup title as Germany defeated Argentina at the Maracanã Stadium.
6. 2015 Copa América Final
Chile 0-0 Argentina (Chile won on penalties)
Messi and Argentina suffered another heartbreak against Chile after losing the penalty shootout.
7. 2016 Copa América Final
Chile 0-0 Argentina (Chile won on penalties)
A second consecutive Copa América final defeat against Chile pushed Messi into one of the most difficult moments of his international career.
8. 2017 Copa del Rey Final
Barcelona 3-1 Alavés
Despite Messi scoring in the competition, Barcelona failed to win the trophy.
9. 2019 Copa del Rey Final
Barcelona 1-2 Valencia
Valencia shocked Barcelona in the final, denying Messi another domestic title.
10. 2020 Supercopa de España Final
Barcelona 2-3 Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao defeated Barcelona after extra time in a dramatic final.
11. 2021 Copa América Final
Argentina 1-0 Brazil
Before eventually winning the tournament, Messi endured years of disappointment as Argentina lost three major finals between 2007 and 2016.
12. 2023 Ligue 1 Trophée des Champions Final
Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Toulouse (Toulouse won on penalties)
Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain side lost the French Super Cup on penalties.
13. 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
Spain 1-0 Argentina
Spain defeated Argentina in extra time after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal, denying Messi another World Cup triumph.
Despite the defeats, Messi’s career remains one of the most decorated in football history, with multiple Champions League titles, league trophies, Ballon d’Or awards, a Copa América triumph in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup title among his achievements.
The 2026 final defeat, however, adds another emotional moment to a career defined by both extraordinary success and unforgettable heartbreak.
![Advertising-Industry-Sociology](http://<script type="text/javascript">
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {
jQuery( '#slider-pro-3-90' ).sliderPro({
//width
width: 320,
//height
height: 200,
//auto play
autoplay: true,
autoplayOnHover: 'none',
autoplayDelay: 5000,
arrows: false,
buttons: false,
smallSize: 500,
mediumSize: 1000,
largeSize: 3000,
fade: false,
//thumbnail
thumbnailArrows: true,
thumbnailWidth: 120,
thumbnailHeight: 120,
thumbnailsPosition: 'bottom',
centerImage: true,
imageScaleMode: 'exact',
allowScaleUp: true,
shuffle: true,
startSlide: 0,
loop: true,
slideDistance: 5,
autoplayDirection: 'normal',
touchSwipe: true,
fullScreen: true,
});
});
</script>
<div id="slider-pro-3-90" class="slider-pro">
<!---- slides div start ---->
<div class="sp-slides">
<div class="sp-slide">
<img class="sp-image" loading="lazy" alt="Advertising-Industry-Sociology" src="https://polityreporters.ng/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-responsive-image-slider/assets/css/images/blank.gif" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/polityreporters.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advertising-Industry-Sociology.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1" />
</div>
<div class="sp-slide">
<img class="sp-image" loading="lazy" alt="8.-Product-Advertising-single" src="https://polityreporters.ng/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-responsive-image-slider/assets/css/images/blank.gif" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/polityreporters.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8.-Product-Advertising-single.jpg?fit=796%2C360&ssl=1" />
</div>
<div class="sp-slide">
<img class="sp-image" loading="lazy" alt="06CKDPW" src="https://polityreporters.ng/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-responsive-image-slider/assets/css/images/blank.gif" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/polityreporters.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/06CKDPW.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1" />
</div>
</div>
<!---- slides div end ---->
<!-- slides thumbnails div end -->
</div>
<style>
/* Layout 3 */
/* border */
#slider-pro-3-90 .sp-selected-thumbnail {
border: 4px solid #000000;
}
/* font + color */
.title-in {
font-family: Arial !important;
color: #FFFFFF !important;
background-color: #000000 !important;
opacity: 0.7 !important;
}
.desc-in {
font-family: Arial !important;
color: #FFFFFF !important;
background-color: #00000 !important;
opacity: 0.7 !important;
}
/* bullets color */
.sp-button {
border: 2px solid #000000 !important;
}
.sp-selected-button {
background-color: #000000 !important;
}
/* pointer color - bottom */
.sp-selected-thumbnail::before {
border-bottom: 5px solid #000000 !important;
}
.sp-selected-thumbnail::after {
border-bottom: 13px solid #000000 !important;
}
/* pointer color - top */
/* full screen icon */
.sp-full-screen-button::before {
color: #FFFFFF !important;
}
/* hover navigation icon color */
.sp-next-arrow::after, .sp-next-arrow::before {
background-color: #FFFFFF !important;
}
.sp-previous-arrow::after, .sp-previous-arrow::before {
background-color: #FFFFFF !important;
}
#slider-pro-3-90 .title-in {
color: #FFFFFF !important;
font-weight: bolder;
text-align: center;
}
#slider-pro-3-90 .title-in-bg {
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); !important;
white-space: unset !important;
transform: initial !important;
-webkit-transform: initial !important;
font-size: 14px !important;
}
#slider-pro-3-90 .desc-in {
color: #FFFFFF !important;
text-align: center;
}
#slider-pro-3-90 .desc-in-bg {
background: rgba(#00000, 0.7) !important;
white-space: unset !important;
transform: initial !important;
-webkit-transform: initial !important;
font-size: 13px !important;
}
@media (max-width: 640px) {
#slider-pro-3-90 .hide-small-screen {
display: none;
}
}
@media (max-width: 860px) {
#slider-pro-3-90 .sp-layer {
font-size: 18px;
}
#slider-pro-3-90 .hide-medium-screen {
display: none;
}
}
.slides-not-found {
background-color: #a92929;
border-radius: 5px;
color: #fff;
font-family: initial;
text-align: center;
padding:12px;
}
/* Custom CSS */
</style>
)
ADVERTISE WITH US
Do you want to reach your targeted audience and expand your brand’s visibility?
Advertise with Polity Reporters to place your “message” before the right audience.
For advertising enquiries, reach us through:
Email: bandcommunications001@gmail.com
Facebook: Polity Reporters
WhatsApp: 07043810558
“Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.”
“News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”
“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault.”
“The duty of a journalist is to convey the truth as clearly and fully as possible.”
“Good journalism is about results. It is about affecting your community or your society in the most progressive way.”
“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations.”
“A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society.”
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
“Journalism without a moral position is impossible.”
“The function of journalism is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
