With the music from Rocky and a speech full of epicness, the AFA presented the official video leading up to the World Cup final, paying tribute to Messi, Maradona, and all Argentinians
Hours away from the momentous definition of the 2026 World Cup at the MetLife Stadium, the Argentine National Team is preparing to defend its throne against Spain with an audiovisual piece that has paralyzed social media. The team led by Lionel Messi aims to achieve its fourth world title and establish itself as two-time champions, a feat that no team has accomplished in 64 years.
This video, loaded with symbolism and belonging, reviews the journey of "La Scaloneta" appealing to the deepest roots of national identity. The material uses the unmistakable music from the movie Rocky as its backbone, establishing a direct parallel between the resilience of the boxer and the indomitable spirit of the albiceleste team.
The narration, powerful and direct, begins by stating: “Ladies and gentlemen, here comes the defending champion”, while the cameras follow Lionel Messi and his teammates onto the field.
The story is a challenge to adversity, highlighting that the team is “the one they tried to knock down a thousand times and got back up” and “the one they tried to corner in the corner with words”, but always responded with the force of football.
In a journey that goes from neighborhood clubs to the pinnacle of the sport, the video highlights the figure of the "best in the world", Lionel Messi, emphasizing that he is “the one who never gives up and dances with his feet like no one else in the world”.
It is not just about talent, but about the formation of “those kids with a thirst for glory” who today represent an entire nation. The audiovisual content intertwines intimate moments from the childhood of the 26 summoned footballers with popular celebrations that reflect the unity of the Argentine people.
The piece does not shy away from reclaiming the pillars of our society: “Here comes family, barbecues, and gatherings. And those who scream the goal as if the world were ending”, the narrator states, while images of fans from every corner of the country unfold.
Argentina National Team
Furthermore, the video pays an unavoidable tribute to the heroes of football and the homeland, mentioning “Diego, the Flaco, and the kids from Malvinas who will never be forgotten”, accompanying these words with images of Diego Maradona, César Luis Menotti, and the flag of “The Malvinas are Argentine” displayed by Giovani Lo Celso.
Towards the end, the production of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) emphasizes the winning mentality of a group that is already two-time champions of America and describes itself as the one that “takes hits but hits back three times harder”.
With references to “San Martinian feats”, the video closes with a promise of total struggle: “Those who are not satisfied with what has been achieved, but dream of what is to come. Ladies and gentlemen, here we come. And we are going for everything”. Under the gaze of Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine squad presents itself as a united block that has made resilience its trademark to stay at the top of the world.
