Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass in Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over England on 16 July, providing two assists to help the defending champions complete a stunning late comeback and book their place in Monday’s World Cup final against Spain.
Speaking to TyC Sports pitchside after the match, Messi reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion and the belief that carried Argentina through a tense contest in Atlanta.
“Everything we experienced was incredible. From the beginning, even though it was just a football match, when we started walking out, the anthem and everything, we felt it wasn’t just another victory,” he said.
“This group is incredible. Today we went for it again. We never stopped believing, never stopped trying. When we were down on the scoreboard, we pinned them back in their box. So, it brings enormous happiness,” he added.
The Argentina captain also spoke of the faith he had held in this squad long before the tournament began, insisting the collective spirit of the group had proven more powerful than any individual quality.
“Honestly, before the World Cup started, I had faith in this group. I thought we were going to be among the final four, that we were going to fight for it. I know, and we knew, what we were capable of,” he said.
“Maybe people had doubts because of how we came into it, with players pushed right to the limit. But when this group comes together and is united, we feed off each other and find strength out of nowhere to give even more,” he continued.
Messi closed with a message to Argentina’s supporters, both inside the stadium and back home, as the nation prepares for its third World Cup final in the last four editions of the tournament.
“Enjoy this moment just like we are. Today we’ve made it into another World Cup final. We’ve been enjoying being world champions for four years, and now we are playing in a new final. We achieved what we all wanted. Now, it will be whatever God wills,” he said.
His two assists against England also secured a piece of tournament history. Messi now holds the record for the most assists in World Cup history with 12, ten of which have come in knockout matches, surpassing the previous record of ten held by Brazil great Pele. His involvement also moved him above Kylian Mbappe in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot, with both players tied on eight goals before Messi’s additional assists gave him the advantage in the tiebreaker.
Sunday’s final will also carry personal significance for the 39 year old, who is set to become just the second player in World Cup history to start three separate finals, following his appearances in the 2014 final defeat to Germany and the 2022 triumph over France on penalties. Only Brazil’s Cafu has previously featured in three finals, though the right back came on as a substitute in 1994 before starting the following two. Several other legends of the game came close to matching the feat without quite managing it, including Pele, who missed Brazil’s 1962 final through injury, and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus, an unused substitute in 1982.
Argentina will now turn their attention to Spain, aiming to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, with Messi once again central to the country’s hopes of glory.
