Lionel Messi was visibly emotional while embracing his Argentine teammate after their late-game heroics to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
Messi created multiple magic moments in the final 30 minutes against England while his team was down 1-0.
Two of those moments were brilliantly converted by Enzo Fernandes and Lautaro Martinez in the last 10 minutes to give Argentina the win, prompting Messi to deliver an emotional message to a teammate.
Lionel Messi reminds his Argentina teammates that he loves them
In a video from the post-match celebrations, Messi was seen embracing teammate Rodrigo De Paul and delivering an emotional message that made his commitment to them and advancing to the final clear.
“I love you guys, we weren’t going to leave, man.. We were going to do it.”
The commitment the entire Argentine squad has shown to winning another World Cup with Messi at the helm has been impressive.
Enzo Fernandes wrote an emotional tribute to Messi in 2018, begging him not to retire from the national team after their Round of 16 exit. Now, he scored the equalizer that saved Argentina’s campaign in 2026.
De Paul subbed in at the 72nd minute and was in the thick of the Argentine midfield as they were looking for a way to claw back into the game. Messi’s creation made that happen, leading to De Paul also becoming visibly emotional during the celebration.
Messi’s unquestioned leadership over this dressing room comes from mutual love, respect, and admiration.
Most of the current players grew up idolizing him while living through the failures in 2006 and 2010, and the heartbreak of 2014. After reaching the title in 2022, they are on the verge of history in 2026.
It’s just a question of this unit now winning another match to immortalize themselves as one of the greatest national teams of all time, as beating Spain in the Final will make them the only nation in 64 years to defend the World Cup title.
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