Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week's Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday.

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni could not hold back his emotions once again as he returned to his hometown of Pujato on Wednesday, where hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome him home despite La Albiceleste's heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Uruguayan veteran Suarez captained Miami with Messi and fellow Argentine Rodrigo de Paul missing four days after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.

Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.

Spain's midfield linchpin Rodri did not register a single goal or assist in eight matches as La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New York on Monday to lift their second world title.

On one side stand the 2022 World Cup champions and three-time winners Argentina, proudly holding up pamphlets bearing the slogan "Us against the world" in bold red. On the other stand, well, the representatives of the other 47 teams at the tournament.

The house he owns in this suburban area is where he usually stays during visits to his native Rosario in central Argentina.

Argentina face a stark choice from here on: modernise their system to match the demands of the modern game, or wander straight back into the wilderness for another quarter-century of soul-searching.

At New York-New Jersey Stadium on Monday, several storylines came full circle in the World Cup final.

Lionel Messi said on Monday that after Argentina's World Cup final loss "the pain is immense and it's going to take a long time for this wound to heal."

For both Bangladeshi observers, the verdict was ultimately the same. The World Cup itself will be remembered for its relentless drama and competitiveness, even if its final chapter proved more clinical than captivating.

Two of the most contrasting scenes of the FIFA World Cup unfolded within the space of just 24 hours.

Nervous excitement and rowdy cheers turned into anguished groans, nailbiting tension and tears, as Argentines' hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain.

Messi, who had scored eight goals in the tournament and delivered four assists, was very quiet.

Spain produced a dominant display to beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final and reclaim the title they last won in 2010 at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday.

Captured in moments of profound stillness and raw despair, the images reveal the weight of a tournament journey brought to an abrupt and painful end.

As the curtain falls on a spectacular tournament, The Daily Star Sport team unveils its definitive World Cup Best XI. Lining up in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, this star-studded lineup balances elite tactical discipline with unstoppable attacking flair.

Celebrate Lionel Messi as Argentina faces Spain in a historic World Cup final. This moving tribute explores his resilience against severe adversity, offering football fans profound inspiration through the legendary career of the greatest of all time.

Anticipate the intense FIFA World Cup final as Argentina faces Spain in Dhaka. Explore a captivating Tarot reading predicting Lionel Messi's historic era ending against Lamine Yamal's bold, fearless new generation of football excellence.