In the early morning of November 27 in Qatar, Argentina defeated Mexico with the score of 2-0 in the second round of Group C of the World Cup. Messi was once again in the spotlight after his crucial long-range goal that started the scoring.
The mood had changed among a team with high expectations after Argentina’s “stunning” upset by Saudi Arabia a few days earlier, according to The New York Times. Argentina has now successfully ended the gloom.
The Argentine players were seen embracing in a live video posted by Fox Sports after winning their group. In unison, supporters roared throughout the stadium while chanting Messi’s name. The ecstatic Argentina players were singing and dancing back in the locker room. Those in the coaching seat experienced similar emotion. Carlo Scaroni, the relieved Argentina coach, remained silent for a considerable amount of time as tears welled up in his eyes.
Messi’s hero and Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar broke down in tears as well; they are all longtime friends of Messi. Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006, and it was also the last World Cup for players like Scaroni, Aimar and Roberto Ayala. After 16 years, 35-year-old Messi is about to play in his final World Cup while Scaroni, Aimar, and Ayala support him from the coaching benches.
Enzo Fernandez, the player who contributed to Argentina’s 2-0 victory, is close friends with Messi. Messi reportedly experienced a setback in 2016 when he declared his intention to leave the national team. Enzo Fernandez wrote to his idol to convince him to stay. He said this in the letter: “You are aware that over 40 million people want you to make the right decision. How are we to persuade you? Even though you are the best player in the world, you are still only one person who is on vacation and could be lying on the beach instead of running around the field. Do as you please, but think about staying.” Six years later, Enzo and Messi were together to witness their most memorable moments.
On social media, as many fans cheered for Argentina, they also went crazy for Messi: Messi, Argentina’s captain!
Messi was named the match’s best player, bringing his World Cup goal total to eight, matching Maradona’s record. Messi’s performance in the World Cup was also seen as a tribute to Maradona, who died of a heart attack two years ago at his home. An image of a banner depicting the two men shaking hands in the air circulated on international social media.
According to Reuters, Messi told his teammates to stick together as they rode the bus back to their hotel in a dejected mood after Saudi Arabia’s victory with the score of 2-1 on Nov. 22.
Messi also admitted in the post-match interview that the team was nervous at first “The match was difficult, and Mexico performed admirably. We played nervously in the first half, then calmed down and returned to our normal form in the second half.”
Messi revealed that his second son Matteo left the field in tears after losing the first match to Saudi Arabia when asked about his family’s reaction to the match.
The players are relieved, but we must adjust so that we can concentrate on the next match. Messi reiterated the value of teamwork in a post on Weibo, saying that the team must “stick together, like this team has always been.”
Argentina will face off against Poland in the final group round, and Saudi Arabia will face off against Mexico. Argentina will be guaranteed a place in the group if they win.