New footage showing Lionel Messi’s pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited discussions regarding the pressure faced by Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The videos, captured inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before the final against Spain, have led to widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and concentrate solely on football.
The footage gained significant traction online following Argentina’s performance, which some described as subdued under coach Lionel Scaloni. The team ultimately lost 0-1 to Spain after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Spain largely controlled the match, with Argentina struggling to create significant attacking opportunities for extended periods, registering their first shot deep into extra time.
Pre-Match Messages and Player Reactions
One video, filmed just before the players exited the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm what appeared to be a tense squad. He advised his teammates, “Calm, let’s stay calm, lads. Let’s think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let’s forget about everything, let’s forget about everything. Let’s focus on playing.”
Another clip from the tunnel captured Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off. He was heard telling his teammates, “Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened.” This particular wording drew immediate attention from supporters, especially as several players, including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez, appeared visibly emotional and unusually quiet.
During the match, Martinez was later substituted due to an injury in the first half, and Fernandez received a second yellow card late in normal time, leading to his dismissal. The unusual demeanor of the squad and Messi’s repeated calls to “forget everything” have prompted numerous theories across social media platforms.
Half-Time Rally and Continued Speculation
Messi’s leadership continued into the interval, with television cameras capturing another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half. He urged, “Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why wouldn’t we have it now? We have the personality to play.” Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also tried to inspire the team with an equally passionate message, stating, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.”
Despite these rallying cries, Argentina found it difficult to assert themselves, and Ferran Torres eventually scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has fueled various theories online. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni commented after the final that “things happened” before the match but chose not to elaborate further “out of respect for the tournament.”
Journalist Eduardo Feinmann relayed claims suggesting that Messi’s plea to ‘forget everything’ might have been connected to rumors circulating prior to the match. One such unsubstantiated claim alleged that FBI agents were at the stadium with the intention of arresting AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. According to Feinmann, this rumor caused unease within the Argentine delegation and reached the players, potentially influencing Messi’s message.
However, this explanation has not been confirmed by the AFA or any member of the squad. Neither Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, nor any other members of the Argentine delegation have publicly clarified what the captain was referring to when he asked the team to leave “everything” behind before the final.
Aftermath and Unanswered Questions
In the emotional aftermath of the defeat, Messi reflected on the loss in an Instagram message. He wrote, “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.” Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also addressed accusations surrounding Argentina’s tournament run, criticising those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.
The viral footage continues to generate debate among fans and speculation about the events leading up to the match. The specific reasons behind Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remain unexplained.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
