England, the great rival; Maradona in memory; another comeback in Atlanta, again in extremis; the second consecutive World Cup final for the current champions, the third of his career for Messi, who at 39 years old seems eternal; Argentina recovers good football, the rage against the refrain of suspicions of gifts or help… After the semifinal, with emotions running high, at that moment with so many stimuli, Leo Messi cannot help but remember Barcelona, his club and his home. Such are true feelings, which cross in moments of happiness.
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Messi wanted to talk about Spain, his opponent in Sunday’s final in New York, about style as a strong point of La Roja, and ended up talking about his love for Barça. “It is a huge team, with great players, with play… a team I know very well,” he analyzed for FIFA. “Spain has been playing with this philosophy for many years and I know the players. I have faced many of them. Some play at Barça, a club I always love and follow,” said the captain of the Albiceleste, unable to hide his affection for the Blaugrana entity, where he coincided with Pedri but not with Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Olmo, Ferran, Gavi or Eric Garcia.
Declaration of love to Barcelona
“I have faced many of them. Some play at Barça, a club I always love and follow”
The Argentine has always made clear his love for Barça and the tears on August 8, 2021, at his (forced) farewell or his nighttime visit to Camp Nou last November 10 are just two examples. That is why Messi expects “a special match” and has no doubts it will be a “very balanced” encounter, like all of Argentina’s in this World Cup.
Just as no one can be surprised by the feeling towards Barcelona, it is impressive that Messi continues to make history in capital letters. On Sunday he will become the first footballer to start in three World Cup finals. Several reached them (Pelé, Littbarski, Matthäus and Ronaldo), Cafú played them but only Leo will start and be crucial for his team’s play at 39 years old. Against England, with his two assists, one with the left (to Enzo) and another with the right (to Lautaro), over seven defenders.
They are Indians, they were raised in extreme situations, in environments where they feared nothing”
Lionel Scaloni
Argentina Coach
“Being in three finals is crazy,” admits Messi, who prepared conscientiously during the last year. “I spent December in Argentina training morning and afternoon. I gave everything to arrive in the best way. I always said that if I could reach another World Cup it was to enjoy it and feel good,” he reflects on the sacrifices thanks to which he has eight goals and four assists.
That is also one of the reasons why he wants to highlight the team’s trajectory and not let their path be tarnished, in which they have won a World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima, with conspiracy theories. “We have been the best for these four years, whether it hurts someone or not and whatever they say. Again we prove it is not a coincidence and no one gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup finals is for few and this group achieved it,” he emphasizes.
“No one gave us anything”
The captain does not like his path, in which they have won a World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima, to be tarnished with conspiracy theories
The Albiceleste has proven to be almost indestructible in this World Cup, with two qualifications in extra time (Cape Verde and Switzerland) and two other tickets with comebacks in the 92nd minute (Egypt and England). After Gordon’s goal, Scaloni’s team showed their best version, with 88% possession, two posts and several saves by Pickford, until they came back. “After their goal we played even better. This team has fluid, very good play, has patience and knows how to read the moments of the matches,” Messi states.
On the other hand, coach Scaloni focuses on the mentality of his players, who always fight and never give up. “I know them and I know how they are. They are Indians, Indians in the good sense, they were raised in extreme situations, in environments where they feared nothing,” he recounts about that indomitable spirit that makes them fearsome. “They were the best everywhere, as kids everyone expected a lot from them. The responsibility does not weigh on them,” he assures. “They are playing as if they were eight years old, as they have done all their lives.” And the big boss of those indomitable Indians is Messi. “What more does he have to do to be considered the best in history,” Scaloni wonders. It is a rhetorical question, expecting no answer.
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