EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A few minutes after 6 p.m., Lionel Messi sat on the grass at MetLife stadium, his legs splayed in front of him, and took in the scene. Across the way Spain was celebrating, having just beaten Argentina 1-0 in extra time of the World Cup final. Messi had played all 120-plus minutes, about a month after his 39th birthday.
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