Atlanta, July 20:
Lionel Messi was left in tears after Argentina’s World Cup title defence ended with a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
The 39-year-old captain was visibly emotional after the final whistle as fans around the stadium chanted his name and held up placards in tribute to the Argentine legend following another historic World Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Tempers flared immediately after Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup champions as Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes became involved in a heated altercation with several Spanish players.
The cameras showed Paredes confronting Spain defender Eric Garcia shortly after the final whistle. Paredes rushed into the Spanish defender when he was celebrating Spain’s World Cup win. Paredes punched him twice and as the argument escalated, Garcia’s teammate Gavi stepped in, attempting to separate the two and defuse the situation involving his Barcelona teammate.