Lionel Messi blamed the "physical and emotional" toll of Argentina's game against England for his team's below-par performance in the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina failed to muster a shot across 90 minutes against Spain in the title game on July 19 as the defending champions lost 1-0 in extra-time.
Speaking after playing his final game for Argentina in Tuesday's friendly against Benin, Messi, 39, reflected on the recent World Cup and said: "We had a dream, my dream and the whole country's dream of becoming world champions again.
"The match against England really drained us. Physically and emotionally, it was exhausting, and the truth is we arrived to the final running on fumes."
He admitted after that win that the game against England had a special significance for him and the Argentinian people because of the bitter rivalry that exists between the two countries that transcends sport.
Messi on Tuesday was keen to brush aside conspiracy theories that had emerged in his country regarding Argentina's World Cup final performance and instead defended his teammates' unwavering commitment.
"In reality, nothing strange happened, as some people say; we gave it our all," the Inter Miami star said. "We fought hard, just as we always did, wearing these shirts, alongside all the teammates I shared the journey with. Not just the ones who were there when we finally won, but the ones from before, too; we came very close back then but sadly didn't become champions.
"Still, make no mistake: every teammate who stood beside me always gave everything for this shirt. Always."
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Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022, announced his retirement from international duty on Aug. 31, just weeks after the death of his father and agent, Jorge Messi.
He ended his international career on a high, scoring his 126th goal for the Albiceleste from the penalty spot while adding two assists in Argentina's 3-0 win against Benin.
"As I said, I'd love to stay here forever," Messi said after Tuesday's final whistle. "The last World Cup took a massive toll, everything I went through."