Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Lionel Messi’s legacy should not be judged by the outcome of a single match, insisting that one disappointing performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final cannot overshadow a career filled with extraordinary achievements.
Messi’s Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the FIFA World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time to hand Spain their second world title.
Spain produced a disciplined show as they controlled the tempo of the game and also limited Argentina’s attacking threat to keep them quiet.
In an exclusive conversation with News18, Ganguly said Messi’s contribution to football must be viewed through the larger lens of his career rather than one match.
“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,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly, widely regarded as one of the greatest captains to have played the game, pointed out that Messi has already achieved almost everything possible in the sport, including winning the World Cup and setting numerous records during one of football’s greatest individual careers.
“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,” he said.
The final, played between Argentina and Spain, saw Spain’s tactical approach prove decisive.
Argentina struggled to create clear opportunities
Ganguly said Spain’s preparation and execution in the final separated the two teams.
“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,” he said.
While acknowledging Argentina’s achievement in reaching the final, Ganguly said football’s knockout nature means even the strongest teams can fall short on the biggest stage.
“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 said.
The defeat was a difficult ending to a tournament that had once again placed Messi at the centre of the global football conversation. However, Ganguly stressed that the Argentine star’s influence extends far beyond one result.
“However, the result of one match should never be used to judge the contribution or career of a legend like Messi. Spain were excellent throughout the tournament. Reaching the final twice and winning both titles is a remarkable achievement,” he concluded.
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