The Argentine National Team once again wrote a historic page by defeating 2-1 against England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup and qualifying for their second consecutive final. After the match, Lionel Messi highlighted the commitment of the group, valued the support of the fans, and emphasized the importance of having overcome a match that he considered special for the whole country.
The captain began with a definition about the squad and the journey they have been on for several years. "We feel proud of everything we have been achieving, of what we have been providing to the people, and we are happy that the people can enjoy it the way they are enjoying it, that they live it as they are living it," he stated.
In that sense, he also referred to the celebrations that multiplied across the country as soon as the match ended: "I know that many people went out all over Argentina, and nothing fills us with pleasure more than giving this happiness."
Messi admitted that the clash against England held special value for Argentines and highlighted the satisfaction of having achieved the objective. "I think today was not just another match; it was a very special match for all Argentines. I think it was the match we did not want to lose, and luckily we were able to bring one more joy to Argentines," he added.
The confidence in a squad that never stopped believing
The Rosario native also recalled that before the tournament there were many doubts about the team's performance, although he assured that he never lost confidence in his teammates. "We arrived with many doubts, and many questioned our performance. I never doubted it; it never crossed my mind not to be among the last four because I know this group from the inside and I know what they are capable of," he assured.
Moreover, he explained that injuries and physical problems did not prevent the squad from showcasing their best version in decisive moments. "It is true that we arrived with many doubts, with injured players, with people who were not in good shape, but I also knew that when this group is together, it brings out something special that it has, that everything transforms, and that we were going to compete as we are doing," he commented.
"I think we did what everyone wanted, to be there until the last day. To play one more World Cup final, with what that means, to reach two World Cup finals in a row, which is not easy at all, so a lot of joy and enjoying it," he added.
His gratitude to God and the meaning of another final
When asked if, after saying following the victory against Egypt that "God had a plan" for him, there was still any challenge left to fulfill, Messi responded with emotion. "The truth is that we can no longer ask for more, not with everything we have seen, to play another final, and God is very great. He always has something more, but the truth is that I can no longer ask for more; I am grateful for everything he has given me in sports and personally."
The final effort to go for the title
In response to the insistence for him to continue playing with the National Team beyond this World Cup, the captain avoided projecting himself and focused exclusively on the decisive match. "All my teammates are giving their all in every match, playing 120 minutes in several games, and this group has been making a huge effort throughout the World Cup, but there is one more step, one more match, and we are going to keep trying, we are going to keep fighting, and we will try to recover because it is getting more and more difficult."
With Argentina once again in the World Cup final, Messi made it clear that, despite everything achieved, the squad still maintains the hope of taking the final step and lifting the World Cup again.
