​Lionel Messi appeared visibly emotional as he embraced his Argentine teammate after their late heroics propelled them toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. In the closing stages against England, Messi produced a string of magical moments, even when his side trailed 1-0. Two of those dazzling plays culminated in goals during the last ten minutes, courtesy of Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, giving Argentina the lead and the chance to advance. After the final whistle, Messi shared an emotional message with a teammate, a moment captured during the post-match celebrations as he hugged Rodrigo De Paul and voiced his steadfast commitment to both his teammates and the pursuit of another World Cup title.
“I love you guys. We weren’t going to leave, man. We were going to do it.”
The entire Argentine squad has shown remarkable dedication to securing another World Cup crown with Messi at the helm. The bond among the players is evident, and it’s built on mutual love, respect, and admiration. Many of the current team members grew up idolizing Messi while enduring the heartbreaks of earlier campaigns in 2006 and 2010, and the heartbreak of 2014. After finally reaching the summit in 2022, they now stand on the cusp of history again in 2026.
Enzo Fernández, who had previously written an emotional plea to Messi in 2018, begging him not to retire from international duty following their Round of 16 exit, is now the player who scored the equalizer that helped resurrect Argentina’s campaign in 2026. De Paul, who was brought on in the 72nd minute, found himself at the heart of the Argentine fightback, orchestrating through the midfield as the team sought a way back into the match. Messi’s creative influence ensured those crucial moments, and his vision helped De Paul to become involved in the comeback, a development that left De Paul visibly moved during the celebrations.
The leadership Messi exudes within this dressing room seems to stem from a shared affection, respect, and admiration. The majority of the squad spent their formative years watching him from afar, absorbing lessons from the team’s earlier setbacks in 2006 and 2010, and the heartbreak of 2014. Having reached the pinnacle in 2022, they now stand on the threshold of making history again in 2026. They are one victory away from immortalizing themselves as one of the greatest national teams of all time; defeating Spain in the Final would crown Argentina as the World Cup champions for the first time since 1950 and would make them the only nation to defend the World Cup title in 64 years.
The narrative surrounding this team is built not only on skill but on their unwavering unity and Messi’s unwavering leadership, which has inspired the squad to chase a legacy that transcends the sport itself. As they head toward a potential final against Spain, the possibility of becoming the defending champions remains a tangible, tantalizing prospect. The emotional moments captured after the England match underscored how much this pursuit means to each player, and how deeply they are invested in completing a journey that began long before this tournament and could well seal their place in football history.